keep in sync

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep in sync" is correct and is often used in written English.
It typically means to keep two or more things synchronized, or working together in harmony. For example, you might say, "We need to keep our calendars in sync so that we can better coordinate our schedules."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

A majority of this population suffers from a little-known but highly disruptive condition called Non-24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder that robs them of the ability to keep "in sync" with society's 24-hour schedule.

HuffPost

First, you need to decide what information to keep in sync.

The New York Times - Tech

That's possible because they only keep in sync with one another, not to an external standard, says Gambale.

MIT Technology Review

Unlike the unwieldy eurozone, which struggles to keep in sync with itself, the deep integration of English and Scottish business means that sharing a currency makes unambiguous sense.

The Guardian - Opinion

Soon, the couple have become a role-swapped Sid and Nancy, her desire to keep in sync with his prodigious drug use proving catastrophic.

The Guardian - Film

More commonly, the manager will choose a representative sample of securities intended to track the index, and adjust that sample over time to try to keep in sync with the benchmark.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Its contents are automatically kept in sync among all of the computers and the Web.

The New York Times - Tech

Even HIS that have gone life to the satisfaction of their developers and end-users may degrade gracefully or fail catastrophically if not continuously and thoroughly kept in sync with their environment.

International Journal of Medical Informatics

E-mail, word processing and spreadsheet documents and personal information like schedules and contacts have to be kept in sync between home and office.

The New York Times - Tech

Notes is useful not least because, like your Contacts and Calendar, it's kept in sync across multiple devices, so your documents are kept up to date on your iPhone and iPad, for instance.

Independent

The two earphones communicate with one another using short bursts of near-field signals (these are electromagnetic transmissions that emit around 1000 times less radiation than Bluetooth) but actually operate independently, with the music kept in sync with "high precision clocks".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When coordinating projects, use "keep in sync" to emphasize the importance of shared updates and consistent communication among team members.

Common error

While "keep in sync" is widely understood, opt for more formal alternatives like "maintain consistency" or "ensure synchronization" in academic papers or official reports to convey a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep in sync" functions primarily as a phrasal verb indicating the action of maintaining a state of coordination or synchronization between two or more things. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a grammatically sound expression used to denote this ongoing process.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep in sync" signifies maintaining coordination or synchronization between different elements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. While versatile, favoring alternatives like "stay aligned" in formal writing can add sophistication. It is most frequently used in News & Media and Scientific contexts. In essence, "keep in sync" is a practical phrase for emphasizing the importance of alignment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain synchronized

This emphasizes a state of being synchronized over a period of time.

stay aligned

This alternative emphasizes maintaining a common direction or purpose, rather than strict synchronization.

stay coordinated

This suggests a more active effort to maintain harmony or effective interaction.

keep pace

This emphasizes maintaining the same speed or rate of progress.

maintain consistency

This focuses on keeping things uniform and avoiding discrepancies.

keep parallel

This stresses maintaining a similar course or trajectory.

keep abreast

This implies keeping up-to-date with the latest information to stay in alignment.

keep up to date

This focuses on remaining current with information or developments.

uphold parity

This stresses the aspect of maintaining equality or balance.

harmonize

Implies achieving agreement or accord, often in a broader sense than strict synchronization.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep in sync" to describe maintaining synchronization between different elements. For example, "We need to "keep our calendars in sync" to avoid scheduling conflicts".

What can I say instead of "keep in sync"?

Alternatives include "stay aligned", "remain synchronized", or "maintain consistency", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "keep in sync" or "stay in sync"?

Both "keep in sync" and "stay in sync" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably in many situations. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "keep in sync" and "keep in touch"?

"Keep in sync" refers to maintaining synchronization or coordination, while "keep in touch" implies maintaining communication or contact. For example, you "keep in sync" project timelines, but "keep in touch" with colleagues.