keep better

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep better" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to suggest improving or maintaining something at a higher standard, but it lacks clarity and proper grammatical structure. Example: "I need to keep better track of my expenses this month."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

His chancery began to keep better records of royal activities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And it might help keep better track of suspicious people.

The New York Times

But will the clocks keep better time than before?

The New York Times

The labels help stores keep better records, she said.

The New York Times

International organizations need to keep better data on acts of violence against humanitarian workers, including rape.

The New York Times

"You can keep better track of who is ordering questionable biological agents," he said.

The New York Times

They gave their children beepers and cellular phones to keep better track of them.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

But his five-doctor group will also receive $200,000 to $300,000 this year beyond their regular fees to keep better track of their 8,400 patients.

The New York Times

Atoms that inherently avoid one another keep better time than those that naturally clump together, a team of physicists reports.

Science Magazine

But for everything else — restaurants, taxis and delivery services — there are ways business travelers can keep better track of their tips.

The New York Times

But by using such quake detectors to monitor these events, scientists could keep better track of how much calving ice is being lost from glaciers around the world.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for correctness, replace "keep better" with more grammatically sound alternatives such as "maintain more effectively" or "improve upkeep" to ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "keep better" when a simpler verb like "improve" or "maintain" suffices. Redundancy can dilute your message; clarity is key.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep better" functions primarily as a verb modifier, although it is not grammatically standard. Ludwig AI notes its incorrectness, suggesting rephrasing for clarity. Examples show it often modifies verbs related to tracking, maintaining, or preserving.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

20%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "keep better" is frequently encountered across various sources, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, alternative phrases such as "improve upkeep" or "maintain more effectively" offer better clarity and grammatical soundness. Its prevalence in News & Media and Science contexts suggests common usage, but writers should opt for more precise language to ensure effective communication. Choosing alternatives enhances both the accuracy and professionalism of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain more effectively

Focuses on the effectiveness of the maintenance rather than just the improvement.

preserve more effectively

Emphasizes the preservation aspect with improved effectiveness.

improve upkeep

Highlights the improvement in the general maintenance and care.

enhance maintenance

Concentrates on enhancing the overall maintenance process.

maintain at a higher standard

Specifies that the maintenance should be at an improved level.

uphold to a greater extent

Focuses on upholding or maintaining something to a larger degree.

retain more successfully

Indicates retaining something with more success or efficiency.

hold in better condition

Emphasizes holding something in an improved state or condition.

conserve with greater care

Stresses conservation efforts with increased attention and diligence.

guard more vigilantly

Focuses on guarding something with increased vigilance and attentiveness.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to the phrase "keep better"?

You can use alternatives like "improve upkeep", "maintain more effectively", or "preserve more effectively" depending on the intended meaning.

How can I use "keep better" correctly in a sentence?

While "keep better" is not grammatically standard, you can rephrase your sentence to use more correct alternatives. For instance, instead of "I need to keep better track of my expenses", you can say "I need to improve my expense tracking".

Is "keep better" grammatically correct?

According to Ludwig AI, the phrase "keep better" is not considered standard English. It is advisable to use grammatically correct alternatives for clear communication.

What's the difference between "keep better" and "maintain better"?

While both aim to express improvement or upkeep, "maintain better" is a more acceptable construction. However, phrases like "maintain more effectively" provide better grammatical precision and clarity.