being kept up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being kept up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is being prevented from sleeping or is being maintained in a state of alertness. Example: "I was being kept up all night by the loud music coming from the party next door."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

You see it in rural communities around the country, where bridges and roads are not being kept up.

The New York Times

It's good to know that even in the face of shrunken circulations and the strictures of Lord Justice Leveson, some of the ancient traditions of the Fourth Estate are being kept up.

Independent

So far, there have been no serious cases reported and the sanitary alert is being kept up.

Unicef

"Standards are not being kept up".

The New York Times - Magazine

We were being kept up to date with London culture".

The Guardian

"A lot of people are being kept up right now".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

May said she had briefed him following the meeting and he was being kept up-to-date with the situation.

The Guardian

Downing Street said the prime minister had spoken to May last night and was being kept up-to-date with the situation.

The Guardian

It was important for me as a TA that I felt valued and informed within the classroom, being kept up-to-date on simple things like room changes are just as important as being kept in the know about schemes of work and lesson plans.

The Guardian

Being kept up-to-date in such a vast field is very useful".

Science Magazine

"The homes are kept up, the lawns are kept up.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being kept up" to describe a situation where someone is tired, ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for their sleeplessness. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "being kept up" when you intend to express actively keeping someone awake. The passive construction implies an external force or situation is causing the sleeplessness, not a deliberate action by another person.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being kept up" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being prevented from sleeping. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound construction. Examples in Ludwig illustrate diverse contexts, from noise disturbances to internal anxieties.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being kept up" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to describe the state of being prevented from sleeping. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is versatile and adaptable to various contexts, primarily appearing in News & Media. While alternatives like "staying awake" or "kept awake" exist, "being kept up" specifically implies an external cause for wakefulness. When writing, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly indicates the reason for sleeplessness to maintain clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

staying awake

Focuses solely on the state of not sleeping, omitting the cause or reason.

kept awake

Highlights the state of being in a condition of not sleeping, but lacks the continuous or ongoing aspect.

prevented from sleeping

Emphasizes the act of hindering sleep, adding a sense of external interference.

not allowed to sleep

Highlights the lack of permission or authorization to sleep, suggesting control or restriction.

kept informed

Shifts the meaning to receiving updates or information, changing the context entirely.

being updated

Focuses on the process of receiving new information, rather than the state of wakefulness.

made aware

Emphasizes the act of becoming conscious or knowledgeable, departing from the original sense of wakefulness.

maintained

Shifts the context to preservation or upkeep, completely altering the meaning.

sustained

Suggests continuation or support, diverging from the concept of wakefulness.

prolonged

Emphasizes the extension of something, moving away from the idea of being awake.

FAQs

How can I use "being kept up" in a sentence?

You can use "being kept up" to describe a situation where someone is unable to sleep due to an external factor, such as "I was "being kept up" all night by the noise from the street."

What are some alternatives to "being kept up"?

Alternatives include "staying awake", "kept awake", or "prevented from sleeping", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "being kept up to date"?

Yes, "being kept up to date" is a correct and commonly used phrase. It means to be regularly informed about the latest news or developments.

What's the difference between "being kept up" and "keeping up"?

"Being kept up" implies that an external force is preventing sleep, while "keeping up" means to stay current or maintain a certain pace. They have distinct meanings and are used in different contexts.