Keep steady

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Keep steady" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to advise someone to maintain their composure or stability in a situation. Example: "During the presentation, remember to keep steady and speak clearly to convey your message effectively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

"Keep Steady Pressure On the Line When the Fish Takes the Bait": Fulfill All Awardee Obligations "Provide progress reports as requested," says Hurley, who informed the audience that many awardees simply do not provide these updates.

Science Magazine

"Keep steady pressure with your legs, just like you are".

Vice

Keep steady eye contact.

WikiHow

Keep steady and you should get near the price you were looking for.

WikiHow

Keep steady, even pressure on the knife throughout the sawing motions to reduce the chances of breaking or crushing the Styrofoam.

WikiHow

The America-China relationship is difficult to keep steady in better times.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

It is necessary not only to keep steady-state constraints, but also to maintain transient constraints during the load restoration process.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

The horse keeps steady.

The Guardian - Travel

The dancing kept steady.

The New York Times - Arts

Yes, he has kept steady under fire.

Independent

The Sony, though, kept steady focus in dim rooms that made the Panasonic go focus-hunting.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing instructions, use "Keep steady" to encourage maintaining balance or stability, whether physically or metaphorically, like "Keep steady pressure when applying the adhesive."

Common error

Avoid using "Keep steady" when you actually mean "continue" or "persist". "Keep steady" implies maintaining an existing state, not necessarily continuing an action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Keep steady" functions primarily as an imperative, urging someone to maintain a state of equilibrium or stability. Ludwig AI highlights its use in contexts requiring physical balance or consistent pressure.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Keep steady" is an imperative phrase used to instruct or encourage the maintenance of balance, stability, or consistency. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, though it is relatively rare. While grammatically sound, it's important to consider the specific context to ensure its appropriate application. Related phrases like "maintain stability" or "stay balanced" may offer suitable alternatives depending on the nuance you wish to convey. Remember to use "Keep steady" when you truly mean to preserve an existing state rather than simply continuing an action. The analyzed authoritative sources show that this phrase can be found both in news and media and also in scientific documents, indicating a good balance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Keep stable

Highlights the act of maintaining a state of equilibrium.

Maintain stability

Emphasizes the act of preserving a stable condition, focusing on the result rather than the action.

Retain balance

Focuses on the act of holding a balanced state. This phrase carries a slightly more formal tone.

Stay balanced

Suggests maintaining equilibrium, often used in physical or metaphorical contexts.

Hold firm

Implies resisting external forces and maintaining a strong position.

Sustain equilibrium

Implies a continuous effort to maintain a balanced state over time. Is more formal than the original.

Remain constant

Focuses on the unchanging nature of something, highlighting consistency.

Preserve composure

Emphasizes maintaining calmness and self-control, often in stressful situations. Is less related with balance and more with emotional state.

Conserve equilibrium

Implies protecting and rationing equilibrium. This carries a more technical or scientific tone.

Keep continuous

Highlights the act of maintaining something uninterrupted. It is less about stability and more about uninterrupted flow.

FAQs

What does "Keep steady" mean?

"Keep steady" means to maintain balance, stability, or a consistent level of something. It can refer to physical balance, emotional composure, or maintaining a stable rate or state.

What can I say instead of "Keep steady"?

You can use alternatives like "maintain stability", "stay balanced", or "hold firm" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "Keep steady"?

Use "Keep steady" when you want to encourage someone to maintain their current state of balance, composure, or consistency. For example, "Keep steady" when lifting something heavy, or "Keep steady" in your resolve.

How does "Keep steady" differ from "continue"?

"Keep steady" implies maintaining an existing stable condition, whereas "continue" simply means to proceed with an action. You might say "Keep steady" to prevent something from falling, but you'd say "continue" to proceed with the activity.