keep around

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep around" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about keeping something near or available, such as "Keep a spare key around in case you get locked out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And the questions it poses are, Are we keeping around what we need to keep around?

Yale University

The gallon-sized jugs from purified water are perfect to keep around for bathing the crabs, and keeping their water bowls full.

WikiHow

The things we keep around!

The New Yorker

"I don't want to be that skater that people keep around for whatever reason," Weir said in a somber tone.

The New York Times - Sports

But it eats up a massive amount of bandwidth and costs something like $18,000 a month to keep around".

The New York Times - Tech

We landed in the Russian zone of Berlin, where we had to keep around five different passes on us.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Stuff like that we have to keep around for a while until the smell goes away," Birch said.

The New York Times - Style

"I knew going into it that you would be an expensive one to keep around, I accounted for all that; I understand someone of your caliber and taste.

The New York Times

Facilitates database interaction and also contains data you want to keep around for a single session but don't want to write to your database.

Stanford University

The stuff that has made our year better in some wey.

TechCrunch

When it comes to how much cash to keep around, most experts agree on a basic rule of thumb.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone on essential items for a trip, suggest they "keep around" necessities like water, snacks, and a first-aid kit for immediate access.

Common error

Avoid using "keep round" when you mean to say "keep around". "Keep round" is not a standard English phrase, so using it can confuse your readers. Always use "keep around" to indicate maintaining something nearby.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "keep around" is as a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "keep" with the adverb "around" to create a new meaning, which, according to Ludwig AI, involves maintaining something in proximity or availability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Wiki

27%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep around" is a common and versatile phrasal verb used to describe the act of maintaining something in close proximity or making it readily available. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. While it is generally acceptable across different registers, its usage is most prevalent in news, media, and informal writing. When using this phrase, remember that it is distinct from the non-standard phrase "keep round". Remember to "keep around" essential items, and do not confuse it with "keep round".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retain nearby

Focuses on keeping something in close proximity.

have within reach

Focuses on the ability to easily obtain something.

maintain close at hand

Emphasizes ease of access and immediate availability.

hold in readiness

Highlights the state of being prepared for use.

store for future use

Implies keeping something for potential later utilization.

stockpile for convenience

Indicates accumulating items for easier access.

preserve in vicinity

Suggests keeping something safe and close.

safeguard locally

Highlights protecting something in a specific area.

stash nearby

Implies concealing something for later use.

hoard in close proximity

Suggests accumulating items with the intention of keeping them nearby.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep around" to describe maintaining something nearby or readily available. For example, "I always "keep around" a spare charger in case my phone dies".

What are some alternatives to "keep around"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "retain nearby", "maintain close at hand", or "have within reach".

Is it correct to say "keep round" instead of "keep around"?

No, "keep round" is not a standard English phrase. The correct phrase to use when you mean to maintain something nearby is ""keep around"".

What does "keep around" imply about the item being kept?

"Keep around" suggests that the item is being maintained nearby for convenience, potential use, or safekeeping. It implies a deliberate act of not discarding or storing far away.