it kept up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it kept up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something maintained a certain pace, level, or standard over time. Example: "Despite the challenges, the team worked hard, and it kept up with the project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

But it kept up its pressure on the bank, criticising its US arm, which it said was "structurally unable to support the $150bn of debt on its balance sheet".

The Guardian - Business

Had it kept up its debate about what constitutes cheating online, the play might have had couples talking long after leaving the theater.

The New York Times

After a couple of months of use, the G4 is slowing down noticeably, whereas the S6 - for the duration I had it - kept up its pace.

Forbes

Southwest Airlines Thursday reported higher fourth-quarter earnings, helped by an increase in business travel from the fledgling recovery, as it kept up its record as the only consistently profitable major carrier since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks.

Forbes

It was in its way a physical fact, and it kept up for hours.

The New Yorker

It kept up the mood for a showpiece of its own, Strauss's "Till Eulenspiegel".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Let's hope it keeps up".

The New York Times

Can it keep up with demand?

Forbes

Will It Keep Up The Pace?

Forbes

If it keeps up it represents a significant breakthrough.

Forbes

It keeps up stuck.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it kept up" to clearly convey that something maintained a certain level, pace, or standard despite potential challenges. This phrase is particularly effective when you want to emphasize continuity and effort.

Common error

Avoid using "it kept up" to describe situations where no effort or continuous action is involved. For example, saying "the price kept up" without implying any market force or challenge would be inaccurate; instead, use "the price remained steady".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it kept up" functions as a verb phrase indicating the continuation or maintenance of a certain state, pace, or level. As shown in the examples provided by Ludwig, it's used to describe actions or conditions that persist over time.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it kept up" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the continuation or maintenance of a certain state, pace, or level. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in News & Media contexts. When using "it kept up", ensure that the context implies continuous effort or action. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "it maintained" or "it sustained". However, the broad appeal of the phrase ensures is suitable for many situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it maintained

Focuses on sustaining a specific state or level, replacing the dynamic aspect of 'keeping up' with a more static sense of preservation.

it sustained

Implies providing support to continue a certain level or activity, which is a slightly different emphasis than merely 'keeping up'.

it continued

Highlights the unbroken sequence of an action or condition, rather than emphasizing the effort to 'keep up'.

it persevered

Emphasizes overcoming obstacles to continue, adding a layer of resilience not explicitly present in "it kept up".

it persisted

Focuses on the unwavering continuation of something, even in the face of resistance, giving it a stronger sense of determination.

it held its own

Suggests resisting challenges to maintain a position or standard, implying competition or difficulty.

it stayed consistent

Highlights the uniformity of performance or quality, differing from "it kept up" by emphasizing stability over momentum.

it matched pace

Specifically refers to keeping up with a certain speed or progress, limiting the broader applicability of "it kept up".

it remained constant

Similar to 'stayed consistent', this underscores the lack of change over time, which may not always be the core idea of "it kept up".

it didn't fall behind

Expresses the idea of "it kept up" from the opposite perspective, emphasizing the avoidance of lagging rather than the act of maintaining pace.

FAQs

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

You can use "it kept up" to indicate that something maintained a certain pace, level, or standard. For example: "Despite the challenges, the team worked hard, and "it kept up" with the project timeline".

What are some alternatives to "it kept up"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "it maintained", "it sustained", or "it continued".

Is "it kept up" formal or informal?

"It kept up" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, consider using more precise synonyms.

When is it appropriate to use "it kept up" versus "it maintained"?

"It kept up" is more appropriate when emphasizing the dynamic effort to maintain something, while "it maintained" is better suited for describing the preservation of a static state or level.