keep afloat

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep afloat" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use "keep afloat" to refer to the act of staying afloat or afloat in a literal or figurative sense. For example: "The sailors worked hard to keep the boat afloat during the storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that more specialty divisions keep afloat.

The New York Times

"Families are already struggling to keep afloat," Mr. Blagojevich said.

The New York Times

3) Spanish banks are even more dependent on European Central Bank funding to keep afloat.

The Guardian - Business

He swam around encouraging his fellow sailors to keep afloat and not despair.

The Guardian - Sport

It's hard to stay out past 10 p.m. when you've got a country to keep afloat.

The Washington Post

Scotland's other three ski areas are also struggling to keep afloat.

The Guardian

They realised that, to keep afloat, they had to do something different".

The Guardian

"Funny thing is," said Mr. Pendergrass, "we keep afloat by catering to the third-world clientele.

The New York Times

Still, Dr. Mote says, universities can simply keep raising tuition to keep afloat.

The New York Times

"The goal is to stay ad-free and to keep afloat," she said.

The New York Times - Tech

When payment was due two weeks later, she needed another loan to keep afloat.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “keep afloat” to convey a sense of ongoing effort and maintenance, rather than a one-time fix.

Common error

While "keep afloat" is widely understood, it can sometimes sound too informal for highly professional or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "maintain solvency" or "ensure viability" for a more formal tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep afloat" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used intransitively. It describes the action of maintaining a certain state, either literally in water or figuratively in business or other challenging situations. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep afloat" is a common and versatile phrase used to describe the act of maintaining stability or surviving in challenging situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatical status is correct, and it finds frequent use across various contexts, particularly in news media and business. While generally neutral in register, it's crucial to consider the specific context to ensure the tone is appropriate. When you need alternatives, consider "stay afloat", "remain solvent", or "keep one's head above water". Ultimately, understanding its nuances enables more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay afloat

This alternative maintains the literal and figurative meaning of surviving or remaining stable.

keep one's head above water

A more figurative expression indicating a struggle to survive or manage overwhelming difficulties.

remain solvent

Focuses specifically on the financial aspect of staying in business or avoiding debt.

survive financially

Explicitly addresses the financial aspect of continuing to exist.

stay viable

Emphasizes the ability to continue operating or functioning effectively.

make ends meet

Highlights the effort required to manage expenses and avoid financial difficulties.

weather the storm

Suggests enduring a difficult period and emerging successfully.

eke out a living

Implies a difficult and marginal existence, barely managing to survive.

stay in business

Directly refers to the act of a company continuing its operations.

maintain stability

Focuses on preserving a state of equilibrium or balance.

FAQs

How can I use "keep afloat" in a sentence?

You can use "keep afloat" to describe efforts to maintain stability, whether literally or figuratively. For example, "The company is working hard to "keep afloat" during the economic downturn" or "He used a lifejacket to "keep afloat" in the water".

What are some synonyms for "keep afloat"?

Alternatives to "keep afloat" include phrases like "stay afloat", "remain solvent", or "keep one's head above water", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "stay afloat" or "keep afloat"?

"Stay afloat" and "keep afloat" are largely interchangeable and which one to use depends on the specific context and desired emphasis. "Keep afloat" may subtly imply more active effort to maintain stability.

What's the difference between "keep afloat" and "stay viable"?

"Keep afloat" often implies a basic level of survival or maintenance, whereas "stay viable" suggests the ability to continue operating effectively and sustainably. "Stay viable" focuses more on long-term success.