it needs to be kept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it needs to be kept" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it whenever you want to express that something should be maintained or kept for some reason. For example, "This book is rare and valuable, so it needs to be kept in a safe place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

It's like Lila, it needs to be kept current.

The Guardian

But it needs to be kept away from the coasts, particularly the fragile, fertile Louisiana marshes.

The Economist

Immediately destroy confidential data using the Shred or Scrub features, or if it needs to be kept, contact your technical support team to determine an appropriate solution.

Cornell University

Make sure to keep your brined turkey cold; it needs to be kept at under 40 degrees or bacteria could grow.

The New York Times

In South America economic collapse in Brazil and Argentina put a stop to the rapid expansion of the car industries there, leaving foreign investors such as Fiat to cut their losses.The boom in China is getting everyone excited, but it needs to be kept in perspective.

The Economist

Citing the green-tech competition is a good way to focus attention in Washington and the new reports are being applauded but as Charlie McElwee at the China Environmental Law blog explains, it needs to be kept in balance: I am firmly in the camp that believes the US must undertake carbon reduction responsibilities considerably greater than those imposed on China (see here).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

But even if this problem is addressed as it needs to be, keep in mind that it is just one piece of the larger problem of Chinese trade policies.

Huffington Post

"We agreed that it needed to be kept in proportion," said Mr. Nichols, who had final cut on the movie.

The New York Times

His plan to use Canberra as a floating field hospital was abandoned after it became clear that the ship's vulnerability to air attacks meant that it needed to be kept 200 miles out at sea.

The Guardian

(The book has been slow to appear in part because, for a long time, it was classified; eventually, so much information about his case entered the public record that government lawyers could no longer argue that it needed to be kept secret. Even so, the published version is full of redactions).

The New Yorker

Does it need to be kept in a safer and restricted zone?

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "it needs to be kept", ensure the context clearly identifies what "it" refers to. Ambiguity can confuse the reader.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice when using "it needs to be kept". Active voice often makes sentences clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The data needs to be kept secure by the administrator", consider "The administrator must keep the data secure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it needs to be kept" functions as a modal expression indicating necessity. It highlights the requirement for something to be maintained or preserved. Examples in Ludwig show its use in various contexts, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it needs to be kept" is grammatically correct and serves to emphasize the importance of maintaining or preserving something. Ludwig's analysis, in agreement with Ludwig AI's assessment, indicates that while the phrase is versatile and usable in various contexts, it's essential to ensure clarity regarding what "it" refers to. Related alternatives include more formal options like "it is required to be maintained". While not overly common, this phrase is a useful addition to one's writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is required to be maintained

Replaces "needs" with "is required" and "kept" with "maintained" for a more formal tone.

it is essential to preserve it

Uses "essential" to emphasize necessity and "preserve" as a synonym for keeping something safe and intact.

it should be retained

Employs "should" to indicate a recommendation and "retained" to suggest holding onto something.

it must be conserved

Substitutes "needs" with "must" for a stronger obligation and "conserved" to imply careful management and preservation.

it is important to safeguard it

Uses "important" to highlight significance and "safeguard" to emphasize protection from harm.

it has to be upheld

Changes "needs" to "has to" for a less formal tone, and "kept" to "upheld" for maintaining a standard or principle.

its preservation is necessary

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the preservation and asserts its necessity.

its safeguarding is crucial

Emphasizes the safeguarding aspect and highlights its importance.

it's vital to hold onto it

Uses "vital" to stress importance and "hold onto it" for a more casual, emphatic way of saying keep it.

it warrants protection

Indicates that something deserves or justifies protection, rather than simply needing to be kept.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it needs to be kept" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "it is required to be maintained", or "it is essential to preserve it" depending on the context.

What are some less common alternatives to "it needs to be kept"?

Less common alternatives include "it warrants protection" or "its safeguarding is crucial", which add a unique emphasis to the sentence.

When is it appropriate to use "it needs to be kept" in writing?

This phrase is appropriate when you want to emphasize the necessity of maintaining or preserving something, whether it's data, an object, or a condition. The phrase is versatile and can be used in many contexts.

Is "it needs to be kept" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it needs to be kept" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of a passive construction, indicating that something requires maintenance or preservation. Ludwig AI confirms that this is correct.