keep dry

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep dry" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to advise someone to not get wet or stay out of the rain. For example, "Remember to keep dry when you go outside today; it's supposed to rain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Keep dry! (deep cry; r in Goan).

The Guardian

"He just bought an umbrella to keep dry.

The New Yorker

Alcohol can also help keep "dry" cakes nice and moist.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He was wearing the dinosaur costume to keep dry.

The New Yorker

Once it is up, everybody will enjoy themselves, or at least keep dry if it rains.

The Economist

BURNS Keep dry oven mitts near the stove and microwave, and always use them.

The New York Times

Nobody reasonably expects to keep dry standing in the midst of a deluge.

The New York Times - Arts

He had no idea, but shooed me inside to keep dry.

The New York Times - Travel

Egypt's nightmare will not disappear overnight; Washington needs to keep dry what little powder it has left.

The New York Times

I gave someone an umbrella in place of the cardboard box that he was using to keep dry.

The Guardian

Keep dry in Aquanala's red and white chi nylon coat that's patterned and quilted to look like patchwork.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone in a potentially wet environment, use "keep dry" to succinctly encourage them to avoid moisture. It's direct and easily understood.

Common error

While versatile, "keep dry" might sound too informal in very formal documents. Consider using more sophisticated alternatives like "maintain dryness" or "prevent moisture accumulation" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep dry" primarily functions as an imperative, often used to give a command or instruction. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a correct and usable phrase for advising someone to avoid getting wet. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in everyday advice and warnings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep dry" is a common and grammatically sound expression, as supported by Ludwig AI, used to advise or instruct someone to avoid getting wet. While predominantly found in news and media contexts, it also appears in academic and wiki sources. The phrase functions primarily as an imperative and is generally considered to be of neutral formality, though perhaps leaning toward informal. While versatile, remember to consider more formal alternatives like "maintain dryness" in professional contexts. As such, understanding the nuances of "keep dry" will greatly help any writer who hopes to leverage the power of English. Keep in mind its simple message of avoiding water and moisture!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay dry

Focuses on maintaining a dry condition, similar to "keep dry" but emphasizes the state rather than the action.

remain dry

Implies a continuation of a dry state over a period of time.

avoid getting wet

Specifically addresses the action of preventing oneself from becoming wet.

prevent wetting

A more formal way of saying "avoid getting wet", emphasizing prevention.

maintain dryness

Highlights the act of preserving a state of dryness.

ward off moisture

Emphasizes protection against moisture.

shelter from the rain

Specifically refers to finding protection from rainfall.

seek cover

A more general term for finding protection from weather elements.

protect from dampness

Focuses on safeguarding against humidity and slight wetness.

weatherproof

Indicates making something resistant to weather, including rain.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep dry" to advise someone to avoid getting wet, such as, "Remember to "keep dry" when you go outside; it's raining." You can also use it to describe the action of keeping something dry, such as, "The container helps "keep dry" goods fresh."

What's a more formal alternative to "keep dry"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "maintain dryness", "prevent moisture accumulation", or "protect from dampness" as alternatives to "keep dry".

Is "keep dry" grammatically correct?

Yes, "keep dry" is grammatically correct and commonly used in various contexts, as affirmed by Ludwig AI.

What does it mean to "keep dry powder"?

In a business or investment context, "keep dry powder" means to retain liquid assets or readily available resources for future opportunities or unforeseen circumstances.