keep containing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep containing" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express the idea of something continuing to hold or include certain elements, but it is not commonly used. Example: "The box will keep containing all the items we need for the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Mr Hussein's sons, they argue, were in a strong position to succeed him.Given what America was spending on Iraq, the authors reckon, it would have cost at least $200 billion, in present value terms, to keep containing it until it no longer posed a threat.

The Economist

Seven storeys high, this tower would have formed the lord's "donjon", or keep, containing his private accommodation, and connecting to the hall in the north range.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"We have so much emotion bottled up that we have to keep contained due to the fact that we have to focus on our race," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

When you can't run, can't pass, and your defensive ends can scarcely keep contain for a single play, you're probably going to lose.

The New York Times

Because the highly concentrated oxygen is difficult to keep contained, Oxygen8 is available only in big glass bottles (glass is less permeable than plastic) and with the special dispenser.

The New York Times

At the same time, a nominal registry was kept containing the patient records and death certificates of all the cases reported as compatible with influenza.

Health Research Policy and Systems

International opinion has long held that the end of the cold war unlocked a Pandora's box of ethnic violence that superpower rivalry had kept contained (the splitting of Yugoslavia being the classic example).

The Economist

It coordinates positioning at a distinct site and keeps contained cells close to the capsule.

Molecular and Cellular Pediatrics

"The trash crisis has unleashed the anger that the Lebanese have kept contained for almost 10 years," said Pascal Monin, a professor at the Institute of Political Science at Saint Joseph University in Beirut.

Vice

The NGM-light agar in which LE populations were kept contained Levamisole 0.15 mM.

Plosone

A maximum of 20 μg/20 μg plasmid DNA could be injected and kept contained within the epidermis and dermis.

BMC Biotechnology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If using "keep containing", ensure the context is clear and unambiguous to avoid confusing the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "keep containing" in formal writing or situations where clarity is crucial. This phrasing isn't standard and may lead to misinterpretations. Opt for more common and easily understood alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep containing" functions as a gerund phrase, describing a continuous action. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this specific phrasing is not standard in English and may not be readily understood.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while technically understandable, the phrase "keep containing" is not considered standard English and may lead to confusion. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's better to opt for more conventional alternatives like "continue to contain" or "maintain containment of" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. The contexts where it appears are varied, but its usage frequency is low. Therefore, avoiding "keep containing" in formal writing is advisable to enhance readability and avoid potential misinterpretations. Despite appearing in sources like The New York Times and The Economist, this phrase remains a less preferable option.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continue to contain

Replaces "keep" with "continue", emphasizing the ongoing nature of the action without altering the core meaning.

maintain containment of

Emphasizes the act of maintaining a state of containment, shifting the focus from the action of keeping to the state of containment.

persist in containing

Highlights the persistence or determination in the act of containing, adding a layer of emphasis to the effort.

sustain the containment of

Focuses on the sustainability of the containment, implying a need for continued effort and resources.

retain within

Simplifies the phrase by focusing on retaining something within a boundary, suitable for more concise expression.

hold within

Similar to "retain within" but with a slightly different connotation of physical or abstract holding.

prevent from spreading

Shifts the focus from containing to preventing spread, useful when the primary concern is preventing dissemination.

confine within

Emphasizes the act of confining or restricting something within a defined area.

limit the spread of

Similar to "prevent from spreading", but emphasizes limiting rather than completely preventing.

ensure enclosure of

Focuses on ensuring that something is enclosed or surrounded, useful when the primary concern is secure containment.

FAQs

What does "keep containing" mean?

The phrase "keep containing" suggests a continuation of holding or including something. However, it's not a standard English phrase and can be ambiguous. Consider using alternatives like "continue to contain" for better clarity.

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

While not recommended, you might use it to describe a continuous action of containment. Example: "The organization will keep containing sensitive information within its secure servers." However, rephrasing for clarity is advisable.

Are there better alternatives to "keep containing"?

Yes, alternatives like "continue to contain", "maintain containment of", or "persist in containing" are generally clearer and more widely accepted.

Is "keep containing" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "keep containing" is not considered grammatically standard. Ludwig AI identifies it as non-idiomatic. Using more conventional phrases will improve clarity and ensure better reception by your audience.