be kept alive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be kept alive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express the idea of maintaining something in a state of existence or operation, often in relation to a person, idea, or system. Example: "The patient's condition is critical, and every effort must be made to ensure that they be kept alive until the doctors arrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who should be kept alive?

The New York Times - Books

These places need to be kept alive.

The New York Times - Arts

"History should be kept alive," he said.

The Guardian - Opinion

At what cost should culture be kept alive?

The New York Times - Arts

Whatever their fatalism, they had to be kept alive.

The Economist

But the essence of his collections can be kept alive.

The New York Times

Desperate patients begging doctors to be kept alive.

The New York Times

"This is where his memory needs to be kept alive".

The New York Times

And they all had to be kept alive and contented.

The Guardian - Film

Amaryllis bulbs can be kept alive for years this way, and their flowers are very rewarding.

Cornell University

If false, the job will be kept alive in the inverse condition.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In historical or cultural contexts, use "be kept alive" to emphasize the importance of preserving traditions or memories.

Common error

Avoid using "be kept alive" in overly casual settings where simpler phrases like "stay alive" or "survive" are more appropriate. The phrase carries a weight of formality that can sound out of place in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

Passive voice construction indicating a state of being sustained or preserved. The phrase is typically used to describe situations where external forces or interventions are necessary to maintain life or existence, whether literally or metaphorically. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be kept alive" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that indicates a state of being sustained or preserved. According to Ludwig, this phrase is well-suited for discussing sensitive topics like medical ethics, cultural preservation, and the maintenance of abstract concepts. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in overly informal contexts, opting for simpler alternatives like "stay alive" when appropriate. Always consider the specific context to ensure the phrase aligns with your intended tone and message. With its widespread usage in news, science, and academic sources, "be kept alive" remains a valuable and relevant phrase for expressing the continuation of life, ideas, or traditions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay alive

Focuses on surviving or avoiding death.

remain living

Emphasizes the state of continuing to live.

survive

Focuses on overcoming threats to existence.

be sustained

Highlights the support needed to continue existing.

be preserved

Indicates an effort to protect from decay or destruction.

be maintained

Suggests a focus on upkeep and preservation.

be prolonged

Emphasizes the extension of life or existence.

continue to exist

A more formal way of expressing ongoing existence.

be supported

Highlights the provision of necessary resources for continued existence.

be fostered

Suggests nurturing and promoting continued growth or existence.

FAQs

How can I use "be kept alive" in a sentence?

You can use "be kept alive" to discuss life support, cultural preservation, or maintaining traditions. For example, "The patient requested not to be kept alive artificially" or "It's important that these stories "be kept alive" through storytelling".

What's a less formal way to say "be kept alive"?

In less formal situations, consider using phrases like "stay alive", "remain living", or "survive". The best choice depends on the specific context and what aspect you want to emphasize.

Which is correct, "be kept alive" or "being kept alive"?

"Be kept alive" is correct in contexts where you're using the infinitive form, often after auxiliary verbs like "to", "should", or "must". "Being kept alive" is appropriate as a gerund or in continuous verb tenses. For example: "He doesn't want to be kept alive by machines." vs "He is being kept alive by machines".

What does it mean to "be kept alive" metaphorically?

Metaphorically, "be kept alive" can refer to ideas, traditions, or memories that are actively preserved or maintained. For instance, "The spirit of innovation must "be kept alive" through ongoing research and development".