cumbersome to keep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cumbersome to keep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing something that is difficult or inconvenient to maintain or manage. Example: "The old filing system was cumbersome to keep, leading to frequent errors and lost documents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The Paladin system, officials say, is too slow and cumbersome to keep up with the rest of an armored division, slowing the speed of its attacks.

The New York Times

MASH units which had 60 beds, required 50 large trucks to move, and took 24 hours to set up were deemed too cumbersome to keep up with fast-moving armoured and airmobile forces, and they were supplanted by the smaller Forward Surgical Team (FST).

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is cumbersome to keep track of all the goal statements which were made in the later part of its history.

Bandung: Journal of the Global South

FTD quotes a source close to Nokia saying: "Symbian is much too cumbersome to keep up with modern operating systems.

TechCrunch

Old-school regulations — the kinds written by lawmakers and bureaucrats — are too cumbersome to keep up with technology and too "dumb" to monitor algorithms in a timely way.

TechCrunch

White likely chose to transport the bound volumes of records, as the loose paper records would have been more cumbersome to keep together.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

These include use of a cumbersome sleeping mask to keep the airways open, as well as invasive surgical procedures that are painful and require a hospital stay.

Stanford University

Very little agricultural plastic has been recycled since it's cumbersome to handle, difficult to keep clean and has rarely met post-recycling market specifications, said Lois Levitan, director of Cornell's Recycling Agricultural Plastics Project (RAPP).

Cornell University

They were born there, and if they haven't relinquished their citizenship – a costly and cumbersome process – they have to keep filing tax returns and being aware that they can't invest in some kinds of mutual funds that might be standard products in their home countries but might trigger big tax liabilities in the US.

The Guardian - Money

The drawbacks: It's more cumbersome than a cloud to keep updated, and you must find a secure place to hide it.

Forbes

The drawbacks: It's more cumbersome than a cloud to keep updated, and you must find someplace secure to store it.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing systems or processes, use "cumbersome to keep" to highlight inefficiencies in maintenance, suggesting a need for streamlining.

Common error

Avoid using "cumbersome to keep" in very informal situations; simpler terms like "hard to keep up with" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cumbersome to keep" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive. It describes a quality of something, indicating it is difficult or awkward to maintain. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

25%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

13%

Wiki

11%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cumbersome to keep" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, albeit relatively rare in occurrence. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It functions to describe something difficult or inconvenient to maintain, often implying a need for streamlining or improvement. While adaptable to multiple contexts, it finds frequent use in news, science, and academic environments. When considering alternatives, phrases like "difficult to maintain" or "hard to manage" offer similar meanings. When writing, be mindful of the register, ensuring it aligns with the intended audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to maintain

Focuses on the difficulty of upkeep rather than the inconvenience.

hard to manage

Emphasizes the challenge in controlling or organizing.

unwieldy to preserve

Highlights the awkwardness in preserving something.

troublesome to retain

Stresses the annoyance associated with keeping something.

challenging to uphold

Focuses on the difficulty in maintaining a standard or principle.

awkward to sustain

Emphasizes the lack of grace or ease in continuing something.

complicated to safeguard

Highlights the intricacy involved in protecting something.

burdensome to secure

Emphasizes the heavy load or responsibility in ensuring something is safe.

laborious to oversee

Stresses the amount of work required to supervise something.

taxing to administer

Highlights the demanding nature of managing something.

FAQs

What does "cumbersome to keep" mean?

It describes something that is difficult or inconvenient to maintain or manage.

How can I use "cumbersome to keep" in a sentence?

Example: "The manual filing system was "cumbersome to keep", which led to many lost documents."

What are some alternatives to "cumbersome to keep"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to maintain", "hard to manage", or "unwieldy to preserve" depending on the specific context.

Is "cumbersome to keep" formal or informal?

It leans toward the formal side but can be used in neutral contexts as well. In very informal situations, simpler phrasing might be preferred.