Keep at the ready

USAGE SUMMARY

"Keep at the ready" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when instructing someone to have something prepared for immediate use. Example: "Keep the first aid kit at the ready in case of emergencies." Alternative expressions include "keep on standby" and "have ready."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But he said that physicians can keep at the ready a list of local, state and federal programs with local addresses and phone numbers, and encourage a parent to make contact with the office best suited to assist.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A gun is kept at the ready, but not used; atmospheric systems are scientifically monitored but remain in flux, uncontrolled.

The New York Times - Arts

While giving a tour recently, Ms. Ellis, took a minute to find drum pads that had gotten temporarily buried, but were usually kept at the ready for drummers trying out sticks.

The New York Times

A contingent of reserves was kept at the rear, ready to deploy at Edward's call.

Wikipedia

Heparin was continued, and thrombolytics were kept at the bedside ready for potential use.

Critical Ultrasound Journal

Be sure to keep a portfolio of examples at-the-ready all the time, that demonstrates both your print and online writing versatility.

WikiHow

It is an acquired taste, so keep bourbon at the ready.

The New York Times - Science

But to Libyans, the assault underscored instability in a country where militias keep weapons at the ready.

The New York Times

Visitors to the Venice film festival are advised to bring a waterproof and keep umbrellas at the ready.

The Guardian - Film

Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper and keep it at the ready.

The New York Times

Keep it at the ready to whip out and look at if you start to feel the Imposter Syndrome creeping in.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep at the ready" when you want to emphasize proactive preparedness for an immediate or potential need. For example, "Keep a fire extinguisher at the ready in the kitchen."

Common error

Don't use "keep at the ready" when passive availability is sufficient. If something simply needs to be available when needed without proactive maintenance, "have available" or "have on hand" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep at the ready" functions as an idiomatic expression, indicating the necessity of maintaining something in a state of preparedness or immediate availability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a well-established and grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep at the ready" is a grammatically correct and very common idiomatic phrase that advises maintaining something in a state of preparedness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English and is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's crucial to consider the nuance of proactive readiness it implies; in situations requiring only passive availability, alternatives like "have on hand" may be more fitting. Remember that while the phrase has a neutral tone and is widely used, there might be times when a less formal expression works better.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep available

Directly states that something is accessible for use.

have on hand

Implies possession and accessibility.

have standing by

Focuses on immediate availability but implies a more passive waiting.

keep accessible

Focuses on the ease of reaching or obtaining something.

hold in reserve

Emphasizes a deliberate holding back for future use.

have prepared

Highlights the action of getting something ready in advance.

maintain in readiness

More formal and emphasizes the state of being prepared.

have in place

Suggests that arrangements are already made.

maintain preparedness

Highlights the act of maintaining a state of readiness.

keep in stock

Specifically relates to having a supply available.

FAQs

How can I use "keep at the ready" in a sentence?

You can use "keep at the ready" to indicate that something should be readily available for immediate use. For example, "The paramedics were instructed to "keep the defibrillator at the ready"".

What's a simpler way to say "keep at the ready"?

Alternatives to "keep at the ready" include "have on hand", "keep available", or simply "have ready".

Is it ever incorrect to use "keep at the ready"?

While grammatically correct, "keep at the ready" might be too formal for some contexts. In very casual settings, alternatives like "have handy" or "keep close" may be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "keep at the ready" and "have in place"?

"Keep at the ready" implies a state of active preparedness and maintenance, whereas "have in place" suggests that arrangements or resources are already set up and don't necessarily require ongoing attention.