keep alive for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep alive for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to maintaining something in a state of existence or activity for a certain duration. Example: "We need to keep alive for the project until we secure additional funding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Yet even if it has lost its glamour, the orchid still has a reputation as a diva of a houseplant that's hard to keep alive for long.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Yet even if it has lost its glamour, the orchid still has a reputation as a diva of a houseplant that's hard to keep alive for long.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Coward — who wrote, in the song "Twentieth Century Blues," "What is there to strive for / Love or keep alive for?" — managed to translate his metaphysical stalemate into comic action.

The New Yorker

Crowell's essay, "New Orleans on My Mind: Books of the Big Easy," focuses on her native New Orleans and the books that "help keep alive for me a city that is struggling to rebuild itself". Each time she opens one of these volumes, she listens to hear the rhythm, the cadence and the accent of her home.

Princeton University

Guilt and resentment are easy to keep alive, for not only the alcoholic/addict but the family as well.

Huffington Post

As Toliver and Constable point out in their book on Hartmann, "The Blond Knight of Germany": "Fighter aces were able to keep alive, for a few brief decades, albeit in tenuous form, the now archaic concept of a fair fight.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He was kept alive for four years.

The New York Times

The animals were kept alive for periods ranging from 4 days to 15 months.

Journal of Pediatric Surgery

Amaryllis bulbs can be kept alive for years this way, and their flowers are very rewarding.

Cornell University

"For instance, we have an American we have kept alive for years, Bergdahl," he added.

The New York Times

The autopsies sometimes reveal that they were kept alive for days before being killed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep alive for" when emphasizing the effort or resources required to maintain something in a functional or existing state for a specific reason or duration.

Common error

Avoid using "keep alive for" in contexts where simple maintenance or preservation is implied without significant effort. Instead, opt for phrases like "maintain" or "preserve" if the situation doesn't require extraordinary measures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep alive for" functions as a verb phrase emphasizing the action of sustaining or preserving something for a specific duration or purpose. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is usable in written English and highlights the effort involved in maintaining something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep alive for" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase that indicates maintaining something in a functional or existing state for a specific duration or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Science contexts. While generally acceptable, it may be less formal. When writing, be mindful of the effort or resources implied by the phrase and ensure it aligns with the intended meaning. If a more formal tone is needed, consider using alternatives such as "sustain for" or "maintain for".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustain for

Emphasizes continuation of something for a certain period, shifting focus from the act of keeping alive to a more general sense of maintaining.

maintain for

Highlights the act of preserving or upholding something for a specified duration, altering the perspective from mere survival to active maintenance.

preserve for

Focuses on preventing something from decaying or being lost for a certain time, changing the emphasis to conservation.

prolong for

Highlights extending the duration of something, moving away from basic sustenance to lengthening the lifespan or activity.

continue to support for

More explicitly states the ongoing assistance needed to "keep alive for", adding detail about the necessary support.

ensure survival for

Directly addresses the act of guaranteeing continued existence for a given period, making the intent more explicit.

help survive for

Specifies the assistance provided to enable something to "keep alive for", adding a component of aid or support.

assist in maintaining for

Focuses on helping to maintain something over a period of time, adding the element of active assistance.

support the continuation of for

Highlights the backing or aid given to ensure something persists for a specified period, making the support role clear.

aid in the preservation of for

Centers on providing assistance to safeguard something for a particular duration, emphasizing the aiding action.

FAQs

How can I use "keep alive for" in a sentence?

You can use "keep alive for" to describe the act of maintaining something in a functioning or existing state for a specific period or purpose. For example, "We need to "keep alive for" the project until funding arrives".

What's a good alternative to "keep alive for"?

Depending on the context, alternatives like "sustain for" or "maintain for" can be suitable replacements for "keep alive for".

When is it appropriate to use "keep alive for" versus simply "maintain"?

"Keep alive for" is best used when emphasizing the effort or resources needed to maintain something. If simple upkeep is implied, "maintain" is more appropriate. For example, "They worked to "keep alive for" the tradition" highlights the effort more than simply "maintain the tradition".

Is "keep alive for" formal or informal?

While generally acceptable, "keep alive for" tends to be less formal. In highly formal writing, consider using more precise or sophisticated alternatives that convey the same meaning with greater nuance.