easy to keep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "easy to keep" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to describe something that requires minimal effort to maintain, such as a low-maintenance type of pet. For example, "Goldfish are an easy to keep pet, as they require little upkeep."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It wasn't easy to keep up.

The New York Times

"It's not easy to keep on reinventing".

The New Yorker

It's not easy to keep everyone together".

The New Yorker

Nor is it easy to keep foreign capital out.

The Economist

It wasn't always easy to keep my secret.

The New York Times

"It wasn't easy to keep up with him".

The New York Times

But it is not easy to keep the mind uncluttered.

The New York Times - Sports

"It's easy to keep adding things to an app.

The Guardian - Tech

But this empire made logistic sense, was never easy to keep together.

Yale University

For one, honey bees have hives, which makes them easy to keep and transfer en masse.

University of California, Berkeley

So, it's not entirely easy to keep banks under good control.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the qualities of a pet, product, or system, use "easy to keep" to indicate that it does not require much effort or resources to maintain. For instance, "This plant is easy to keep alive, even for beginners."

Common error

Avoid overusing "easy to keep" in contexts where 'low maintenance' or 'simple to store' might be more precise. "Easy to keep" implies ease of maintenance; ensure this is the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "easy to keep" functions as an adjective phrase followed by an infinitive, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its manageability. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates that something requires minimal effort to maintain.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Academia

21%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "easy to keep" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe something that is not difficult to maintain. According to Ludwig AI, it indicates minimal effort in upkeep. Its use is widespread across news, academic, and general web content, with top sources including The New York Times and The Guardian. To avoid potential errors, ensure the context aligns with the intended meaning of 'ease of maintenance'. Related phrases like "simple to maintain" and "low maintenance" can provide alternatives for more specific scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

simple to maintain

Replaces "easy" with "simple" and "keep" with "maintain", focusing on upkeep.

effortless to preserve

Substitutes "easy" with "effortless" and "keep" with "preserve", highlighting the lack of required effort.

straightforward to retain

Replaces "easy" with "straightforward" and "keep" with "retain", suggesting a clear and simple process.

not difficult to maintain

Uses a negative construction to convey ease of maintenance, emphasizing the absence of difficulty.

undemanding to store

Substitutes "easy" with "undemanding" and "keep" with "store", focusing on the storage aspect.

painless to conserve

Replaces "easy" with "painless" and "keep" with "conserve", highlighting the lack of discomfort or trouble.

a breeze to hold

Uses the idiom "a breeze" to mean easy, and replaces "keep" with "hold", implying simplicity in maintaining possession.

manageable to uphold

Substitutes "easy" with "manageable" and "keep" with "uphold", emphasizing the ability to handle or control.

convenient to sustain

Replaces "easy" with "convenient" and "keep" with "sustain", focusing on ease and continuation.

a snap to watch over

Uses the idiom "a snap" to mean easy, and replaces "keep" with "watch over", suggesting minimal effort in oversight.

FAQs

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

You can use "easy to keep" to describe something that doesn't require much effort to maintain, like "This type of fish is "easy to keep" in a small aquarium".

What are some synonyms for "easy to keep"?

Alternatives to "easy to keep" include "simple to maintain", "low maintenance", or "effortless to preserve", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "easy to keep" and "easy to maintain"?

While similar, "easy to keep" often implies a broader sense of care and upkeep, whereas "easy to maintain" focuses more on the act of maintaining something in good condition. The choice depends on the specific context.

Which is more appropriate: "easy to keep" or "simple to keep"?

"Easy" and "simple" are largely interchangeable here, both conveying a lack of difficulty. "Easy to keep" is slightly more common, but "simple to keep" is also perfectly acceptable and often depends on stylistic preference.