keep intact

USAGE SUMMARY

'keep intact' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used as part of a phrase such as 'keep something intact' or 'keep something as is'. This phrase means to preserve or maintain something in its original form. For example: "We need to keep our family traditions intact and pass them on to the next generation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The spending cuts are more severe, and target programs that people want to keep intact.

The New Yorker

Each country was allowed to keep intact the warheads and guidance systems of the destroyed missiles.

Britannica

The Daily Caller has a strong sexist past that it apparently wants to keep intact.

The Washington Post

"In each case, we look at how much we can keep intact," Mr. Vetter added.

The New York Times

The best liposomal formulation of ProddINP has been checked to keep intact the anti-HIV activity of ddI.

International Journal of Pharmaceutics

It appears that Robinson will keep intact the lines used in the 4-0 shutoft of Atlanta on Monday.

The New York Times - Sports

In Bosnia, one of his duties was to keep intact a bridge that crossed the Saba River.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Nkunda then declared a cease-fire, which the United Nations is desperately trying to keep intact.

The New York Times

HPAAm gel could still keep intact after compressed to the strain of 0.9 while the corresponding polyacrylamide gel prepared by adding chemical crosslinker has been broken.

Polymer

As the president, Chandrika Kumaratunga, battles to keep intact her ruling People's Alliance, squabbles have turned to bloodshed.

The Economist

Most prefer, too, to keep intact the wall the constitution has carefully erected between church and state.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep intact", ensure that the object you are trying to preserve is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "We need to keep it intact", specify "We need to keep the original design intact".

Common error

While "keep intact" is perfectly acceptable, avoid overusing it in informal writing or speech. Alternatives like "leave as is" or "maintain" can often sound more natural and less stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep intact" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to express the action of maintaining something in its original condition or state. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples illustrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep intact" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to convey the idea of preserving something in its original state. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and widely used across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. While "keep intact" is generally neutral in tone, remember to consider more informal alternatives like "leave as is" or "maintain" in casual settings. By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate contexts, you can effectively use "keep intact" to enhance your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retain unaltered

Emphasizes maintaining something in its original state without any changes.

maintain untouched

Highlights preserving something in its pristine condition, avoiding any alterations.

preserve undamaged

Focuses on maintaining something without incurring any harm or damage.

sustain uncompromised

Implies upholding something's integrity without any concessions or weakening.

hold inviolate

Suggests protecting something from any violation or intrusion.

conserve unchanged

Highlights keeping something the same as it was, with no modifications.

safeguard unblemished

Emphasizes protecting something so that it remains perfect and without flaws.

secure unhurt

Focuses on ensuring something remains safe and free from any injury.

protect unaffected

Highlights ensuring something remains as it is, without being influenced or altered.

defend unmarred

Suggests actively protecting something from any kind of damage or disfigurement.

FAQs

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

The phrase "keep intact" is typically used to express the preservation of something in its original state. For example, "The museum strives to keep the artifacts intact" or "The goal is to keep the team intact after the season".

What are some alternatives to "keep intact"?

You can use alternatives such as "retain unaltered", "preserve undamaged", or "maintain untouched" depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "keep it intact"?

Yes, "keep it intact" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard structure of "keep" + object + "intact", where "intact" functions as an adjective describing the state of the object.

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

"Keep intact" emphasizes the preservation of something in its original, whole state, while "maintain" ("maintain") focuses more on ongoing effort to uphold a certain condition. You would "keep a historical document intact", but you might "maintain a building's structure".