it keeps open

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it keeps open" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of maintaining something in an open state, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "The door is broken, so it keeps open all the time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"Breeding is important, too, in that it keeps open space in a crowded state.

The New York Times

And it keeps open the possibility of trying them before military tribunals and sentencing them to death.

The New York Times

It keeps open the doors of local hospitals and community health centers.

Huffington Post

This is really exciting because it keeps open the door for even more discovery down the road".

Huffington Post

Likewise, PEEP may be protective provided it keeps open lung regions that would otherwise collapse at end-expiration.

Critical Care

The whole tool geNetClassifier is built considering an expert decision system approach, because once the classifier is build it keeps open the possibility of ' do not assign' when it is not sure about the class of a query sample.

BMC Genomics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

But the interior is quietly spectacular: it keeps opening up in surprising vistas, with shifting ceiling heights and atriums.

The New York Times - Magazine

But it kept open that possibility in case the show took off in the ratings.

The New York Times

South Australia, at the mouth of the river, wanted it kept open for navigation to the hinterland, allowing the state to become a trading hub.

The Economist

It kept open the deadly loophole in federal law that lets gun traffickers and other unqualified buyers to obtain weapons without background checks at gun shows.

The New York Times

The hospital's reputation, she said, is "mixed," but she wants it kept open for a painfully obvious reason: "It's the only hospital we have around here".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you intend to express that something is continuously accessible or available, use the grammatically correct and more common phrase "it remains open" or "it stays open" instead of "it keeps open".

Common error

Avoid using "keeps" in situations where you're describing a continuous state rather than an action. "Keeps" implies an ongoing effort to maintain a condition. For sustained conditions, use "remains" or "stays" for better clarity and grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it keeps open" functions as a predicate, attempting to describe a state of continuous accessibility or possibility. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically incorrect. Examples show varied attempts to use it, often in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

32%

Wiki

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it keeps open" appears in various sources, particularly in News & Media and Science, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning usually involves maintaining a state of accessibility or possibility. For improved clarity and correctness, it's best to opt for alternatives like "it remains open", "it stays open", or "it is kept open". Using these standard phrases will enhance your writing, especially in formal and professional settings, ensuring that your message is both clear and grammatically sound.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it remains open

Replaces the active "keeps" with the stative "remains", providing a grammatically sound and more common alternative.

it stays open

Similar to "remains open", but uses "stays" which is slightly more informal while maintaining grammatical correctness.

it is kept open

Changes the active voice to passive, correcting the original phrasing and making it grammatically standard.

it maintains openness

Transforms the phrase to focus on the characteristic of openness, using a noun instead of an adjective, creating a more formal tone.

it preserves the possibility

Shifts the focus to maintaining a potential outcome rather than a physical state of being open.

it leaves open the option

Similar to preserving the possibility, this phrase emphasizes the act of leaving a specific choice available.

it doesn't close off

Presents the idea of preventing closure or restriction, which conveys a similar sense of maintaining opportunity.

it avoids shutting down

Highlights the prevention of a complete termination or closure, suitable in contexts where operations are in question.

it continues to operate

Focuses on the continuation of functionality, implying that something isn't being shut down or made unavailable.

it facilitates access

Shifts the meaning slightly to focus on ease of entry or use.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "it keeps open"?

The phrase "it keeps open" is grammatically incorrect. More appropriate alternatives are "it remains open" or "it stays open" which are grammatically sound and commonly used.

Can I use "it keeps open" in formal writing?

No, "it keeps open" is not suitable for formal writing. Use more standard phrases such as "it is kept open" or "it remains open" to maintain a professional tone.

What does "it keeps open" mean?

The intended meaning is that something is continuously in an open state or a possibility is maintained. However, the phrasing is grammatically awkward. Alternatives like "it preserves the possibility" can clarify your intended message.

Is there a difference between "it remains open" and "it keeps open"?

Yes, "it remains open" is grammatically correct and describes a state of being, while "it keeps open" is considered grammatically incorrect. Although "it keeps open" might be understood, it is not proper English.