keep in place

USAGE SUMMARY

'keep in place' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an object or idea that should remain in its existing position. For example: "We need to keep the new security measures in place to protect our data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Voting to keep in place Davis-Bacon, which cost about $100 billion over — over ten years.

The New Yorker

Desai's role is a model of what learning disability campaigners want to keep in place.

The Guardian

"Mayor Giuliani sued the Republican governor to keep in place the commuter tax!

The New York Times

Mr. Peters said the school planned to keep in place the entire staff next year.

The New York Times

At the same time, they wanted to keep in place encroachments like Social Security and Medicare.

The New Yorker

"We need to keep in place what has been in place nationally," she said.

The New York Times

Their state insurance commissioners can also keep in place many of the Obamacare insurance regulations.

The Washington Post

Yet in either case, Britain has every incentive to keep in place nearly all EU policies it currently pursues.

Princeton University

Dessert is gratis — a bit of salesmanship that Mr. Panteleakis says he hopes to keep in place indefinitely.

The New York Times

You need to be educated about what steps you have to keep in place in order to maintain your recovery.

The New York Times

The commissioners said they would keep in place the comparative differences for the various levels of the courts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep in place", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being maintained and why it's important. For example, "We must keep in place the safety protocols to prevent accidents."

Common error

While "keep in place" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make your text sound repetitive. Consider using synonyms like "maintain", "preserve", or "retain" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep in place" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, where 'keep' is the verb and 'in place' acts as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep in place" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe the action of maintaining something in its current position or condition, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in News & Media sources. While generally neutral in register, it can adapt to professional or informal contexts. When writing, ensure the context clarifies what is being maintained. For alternatives, consider phrases like "maintain the position" or "preserve the status quo". As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is suitable for use in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain the position

Focuses on maintaining a specific location or arrangement.

preserve the status quo

Implies maintaining the current state of affairs without changes.

retain its position

Similar to "maintain the position", but emphasizes retaining something's original location.

hold steady

Suggests preventing movement or change, often in a challenging situation.

secure in position

Highlights the act of firmly fixing something to prevent displacement.

ensure it remains

Focuses on guaranteeing the continuation of something's existence or state.

leave untouched

Implies refraining from altering something's current state.

sustain the arrangement

Emphasizes supporting an existing setup or agreement.

conserve the order

Implies maintaining the existing arrangement or system.

prevent from moving

Directly states the action of stopping something from changing location.

FAQs

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

The phrase "keep in place" means to maintain something in its current position or condition. For example: "The new regulations will "keep in place" existing environmental protections".

What are some alternatives to "keep in place"?

You can use alternatives like "maintain", "preserve", "retain", or "sustain" depending on the specific context. For example, instead of "We need to "keep in place" the current policies", you could say "We need to maintain the current policies".

Is it correct to say "kept in place" instead of "keep in place"?

Yes, "kept in place" is the past tense form of the phrase. "Keep in place" is used for present or future actions, while "kept in place" refers to something that was maintained in the past. For example: "The security measures were "kept in place" throughout the event".

What's the difference between "maintain" and "keep in place"?

"Maintain" is a broader term that can mean to keep something in good condition or working order. "Keep in place" specifically means to prevent something from moving or changing. While they can be used interchangeably in some contexts, "keep in place" emphasizes stability and immobility, while "maintain" emphasizes upkeep.