Keep Em Coming- Meaning and Usage

What Does "Keep Em Coming" Mean?

"Keep Em Coming" is an informal imperative phrase telling someone to continue doing something or to keep delivering more of something. The "em" is a contraction of "them." So you're basically saying: "keep them coming." The phrase works in two main ways:

Continue producing or delivering — "Keep those orders coming!"
Continue arriving — "The complaints kept coming."

It can apply to physical items, information, jokes, insults, compliments—anything you want more of.

Where Does It Come From?

English has dropped "them" into contractions for centuries. "Em" shows up in Shakespeare, old westerns, and gangster movies. It's informal, casual, and slightly rough around the edges. That tone is exactly why the phrase works—it sounds like someone speaking directly, not writing a report. The phrase itself gained mainstream traction through sports culture. Coaches bark it at players. Fans shout it at games. It fit that world perfectly: urgent, demanding, relentless.

How People Actually Use It

In Sports and Competition

This is where the phrase lives. You'll hear it constantly:

"Keep 'em coming, boys—we're not stopping now!"
"Great shots. Keep them coming."
"The coach told us to keep the pressure coming."

It works because it demands continuity and intensity. Stopping isn't an option.

Online and Social Media

On Twitter, Instagram, TikTok—everywhere—people use it to encourage more content:

"These memes are hilarious. Keep 'em coming!"
"New followers keep coming in—love it."
"If you want more videos like this, keep them coming in the comments."

It's a community engagement phrase. You're not just consuming—you're asking for more.

Everyday Conversations

In casual speech, it shows up everywhere:

"The food was amazing. Keep those recipes coming."
"Keep the jokes coming, I'm dying over here."
"If you find more deals like that, keep 'em coming."

Common Variations

The phrase shifts slightly depending on what you're referring to. Here's how it breaks down:

Phrase	Used When Referring To
Keep 'em coming	Multiple items, people, or things
Keep it coming	Something singular and uncountable (effort, pressure)
Keep them coming	Formal or written contexts
Keep it coming	Continuous action or flow

Quick rule: "Keep 'em coming" for plural things. "Keep it coming" for uncountable or abstract stuff.

How to Use "Keep Em Coming" Correctly

Using this phrase isn't complicated. A few guidelines:

Write it as "keep 'em coming" with an apostrophe. Dropping the apostrophe looks wrong.
Match the contraction to the object. "Keep 'em coming" = them. "Keep it coming" = it.
Use it where the tone fits. It's informal. Don't use it in formal reports or professional emails unless you're going for a casual vibe.

Examples in Sentences

The compliments kept coming all night. (past tense)
Orders keep coming in—we're swamped. (present continuous)
Keep 'em coming, team. We're on a roll. (imperative)
If you spot more errors, keep them coming. (polite request)

What NOT to Do

Don't write "keep em coming" without the apostrophe in formal writing.
Don't mix up "em" and "them" without purpose—"keep them coming" is always clearer in professional contexts.
Don't overuse it. It loses punch if you say it every five minutes.

Related Phrases

If "keep 'em coming" is your thing, you might also use:

"Bring it on" — similar aggressive encouragement
"More where that came from" — promising more of something good
"Don't stop now" — urging continuation
"Keep up the good work" — praising continued effort

The Bottom Line

"Keep Em Coming" is a direct, punchy way to demand or request continuation. It's informal by nature, rooted in spoken English and sports culture. Use it when you want energy and urgency. Write it with the apostrophe. Match "em" to plural things and "it" to singular or abstract actions. That's it. Use it right, and you'll sound like you know how people actually talk.