Keep the lines open

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Keep the lines open" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to encourage ongoing communication or availability for discussion. Example: "During the project, it's important to keep the lines open so we can address any issues that arise promptly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Keep the lines open and flowing, even if all you can muster is just one word or two.

Huffington Post

Operators were reportedly trying to keep the lines open for calls related to the bombing of a government office building in downtown Oslo.

The New Yorker

Blair ended the call by saying: " I would like to offer a way out that is peaceful … keep the lines open".

The Guardian

Still advising Thatcher, Cradock believed that Beijing would be "ill-disposed to arguments in favour of greater [post-1997] [post-1997]n Hong Kong": the main thing was to "keep the lines open" andemocracyfor agreement on a modest pace of polinical cHong Kongough sthel imainssive by conthing wash decades of undemocratoc British rule).

The Guardian

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Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Still, he has kept the lines open to Baghdad to hold onto multibillion-dollar contracts to develop new Iraqi oil fields.

The New York Times

The officer promised to keep the line open.

The New Yorker

If an abductor interrupts a 911 call, the child should try to keep the line open to allow the call to be traced.

The New York Times - Health

The Royal Scotsman and Orient Express are also occasional visitors while the Friends of the Kyle Line– who've fought to keep the line open – organise steam engine trips from time to time.

The Guardian - Travel

A spokeswoman for Northern Rail said on Wednesday: "It was part of our rail franchise agreement that we would keep this Denton service going in order to keep the line open.

The Guardian

The Liberal MP lobbied ministers and British Railway officials to keep the line open as a branch line serving Borders towns but he says they were "intransigent".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep the lines open" in a professional context, ensure it's followed by clear instructions on how to communicate, such as specifying preferred channels or response times.

Common error

Avoid using "keep the lines open" excessively in formal reports or presentations. Opt for more specific and professional language like "maintain consistent communication" or "ensure continuous dialogue" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep the lines open" primarily functions as a directive or suggestion, urging individuals or groups to maintain consistent and accessible communication. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it's often used to encourage dialogue and prevent misunderstandings.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

2%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep the lines open" is a directive urging the maintenance of accessible and consistent communication. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable in a variety of contexts, primarily news and media, though may be too informal for strictly academic or scientific purposes. To avoid overuse in formal writing, consider more specific alternatives like "maintain consistent communication" or "ensure continuous dialogue". This phrase promotes collaboration and understanding by fostering quick resolutions and relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain communication channels

Focuses on the act of maintaining established channels rather than just keeping them open.

stay in contact

Emphasizes the act of remaining in touch with someone.

ensure open dialogue

Highlights the importance of having an open conversation.

promote communication flow

Suggests facilitating and encouraging a continuous exchange of information.

preserve communication links

Highlights the act of preserving existing links.

facilitate ongoing dialogue

Emphasizes the act of making dialogue easier and continuous.

sustain communication

Stresses the need to maintain communication over a period of time.

cultivate open communication

Focuses on nurturing and developing a culture of open communication.

foster continuous communication

Emphasizes the act of nurturing communication and helping it grow continuously.

keep communication flowing

Highlights the continuous and uninterrupted aspect of communication.

FAQs

How can I use "keep the lines open" in a sentence?

You can use "keep the lines open" to encourage communication or availability. For example, "It's crucial to "keep the lines open" between departments to ensure projects run smoothly."

What's a more formal way to say "keep the lines open"?

In a formal setting, you might prefer phrases like "maintain open communication channels" or "ensure continuous dialogue" instead of ""keep the lines open"".

Is "keep the lines open" appropriate for all situations?

While generally acceptable, ""keep the lines open"" may be too informal for very formal or academic writing. Consider your audience and the context when choosing this phrase.

What does "keep the lines open" mean in a business context?

In business, ""keep the lines open"" means to maintain easy and consistent communication between team members, departments, or with clients to facilitate collaboration and problem-solving.