in keeping with the spirit of

USAGE SUMMARY

"in keeping with the spirit of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe when something adheres to the general sentiment or attitude of a particular situation or thing. For example: "The school's decision to fund the new after-school program is in keeping with the spirit of offering students more educational opportunities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's more in keeping with the spirit of the festival".

Independent

But it was in keeping with the spirit of that week.

The New York Times

That's not really in keeping with the spirit of the Games.

Independent

But McCarthy is continent here, which is in keeping with the spirit of the novel.

The New Yorker

Instead, and in keeping with the spirit of the times, she gets to have it all.

The New York Times

That will be perfectly in keeping with the spirit of the museum.

The New York Times - Arts

For now, financing and promotion are handled in keeping with the spirit of the group.

The New York Times

Is this Shakespeare, like Marlowe, enjoying Shylock's punishment in keeping with the spirit of the time?

The Guardian

And the best of the performances are in keeping with the spirit of the play.

The Guardian

And in keeping with the spirit of summer, they're all sequels.

The New Yorker

And in keeping with the spirit of the project, this early version is free.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in keeping with the spirit of", ensure the context clearly defines what "spirit" you are referencing. This provides clarity and prevents misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid overusing "in keeping with the spirit of" in highly formal or academic writing. Simpler, more direct phrasing can often improve clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in keeping with the spirit of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun. It indicates that an action or decision is consistent with the underlying intention or principle of something, aligning with its general sentiment, as Ludwig AI indicates.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in keeping with the spirit of" is a commonly used expression to indicate alignment with the underlying principles or intentions of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, especially in news and media. While versatile, it's essential to ensure the context clearly defines the "spirit" being referenced to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "in accordance with", "consistent with", or "true to" can provide more precise phrasing in certain situations. While appropriate for many situations, overusing it in highly formal writing should be avoided for conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adhering to the spirit of

Replaces "in keeping" with "adhering", which gives the phrase the active form instead of passive.

in accordance with the tenor of

Replaces "spirit" with "tenor", emphasizing the general character or direction.

in alignment with the essence of

Substitutes "spirit" with "essence", focusing on the fundamental nature of something.

consistent with the ethos of

Uses "ethos" instead of "spirit", highlighting the guiding beliefs or ideals.

in harmony with the soul of

Replaces "spirit" with "soul", giving a more profound and emotional connotation.

reflective of the mindset of

Focuses on the mental attitude or way of thinking.

true to the principles of

Emphasizes adherence to specific rules or guidelines.

faithful to the idea of

Highlights loyalty to a concept or notion.

in line with the values of

Concentrates on the moral or ethical standards.

in the vein of

This alternative captures a more general sense of similarity in style or approach.

FAQs

How can I use "in keeping with the spirit of" in a sentence?

Use "in keeping with the spirit of" to describe an action, decision, or policy that aligns with the underlying principles or intentions of something else. For instance, "The new regulations are "in keeping with the spirit of" environmental conservation".

What can I say instead of "in keeping with the spirit of"?

You can use alternatives such as "in accordance with the tenor of", "consistent with the ethos of", or "true to the principles of" depending on the specific context.

Is "in keeping with the spirit of" formal or informal?

"In keeping with the spirit of" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for many contexts, but extremely formal situations might benefit from more concise alternatives.

How does "in keeping with the spirit of" differ from "in the letter of the law"?

"In keeping with the spirit of" refers to adhering to the underlying intention or principle, while "in the letter of the law" means following the exact wording, even if the outcome contradicts the original intent. They represent contrasting approaches to rules and guidelines.