keep it running

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'keep it running' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that an activity or process should continue. For example: "We need to keep it running until the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Where Ottawa destroys its gun registry, Quebec takes it to court to keep it running at least in its territory.

The Economist

This was enough to keep it running until August 2006 when it raised $5m in its first round of fundraising.

The Guardian

"I have to keep it running.

The New York Times

Thanks for a fantastically interesting site please keep it running.

Harvard University

Who will set the site up and keep it running?

The Economist

The trick will be to keep it running.

The Guardian

Another is to keep it running on a smaller scale.

The New York Times

You really want to spawn a thread and keep it running for a long time.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tremendous volumes of clean air must respire through the engine to keep it running.

Cornell University

Sonia Faleiro on Mumbai's thriving pirated-book market, and the street children who keep it running.

The New Yorker

Still, the petrol prices meant they could barely afford to keep it running.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep it running" in technical contexts, ensure it's clear what "it" refers to. For example, "To keep the server running, ensure adequate cooling."

Common error

Ensure the pronoun "it" has a clear and immediate antecedent. Avoid sentences where "it" could refer to multiple nouns, leading to confusion. For example, instead of "The program is complex, but we need to keep it running", specify: "The program is complex, but we need to keep the system running."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep it running" functions as a verbal phrase, typically used as part of a larger clause. According to Ludwig AI, this is a common and correct English phrase. It's often used to express the action of maintaining or sustaining the operation of something, as seen in numerous examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

21%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

5%

Unknown

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep it running" is a very common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of maintaining or sustaining an activity, process, or system. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely used across diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to academia and wiki sources. While generally neutral in register, it can be adapted to different communication styles. When using the phrase, ensure that the pronoun "it" has a clear antecedent to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "maintain its operation" or "ensure its continuation" for more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep it operational

Similar to "keep it running" but uses the word "operational".

keep it going

A more general phrase for continuing something, similar to "keep it running".

keep it functional

A simpler and more direct way of saying to maintain functionality.

maintain its operation

Focuses on the act of maintaining the operational status of something.

ensure its continuation

Emphasizes guaranteeing the ongoing nature of something.

continue its activity

Highlights the uninterrupted nature of an action.

sustain its functionality

Highlights the effort to keep something functional and working.

sustain its process

Emphasizes maintaining a process or procedure.

preserve its performance

Concentrates on maintaining a certain level of performance.

maintain its momentum

Focuses on preserving forward progress.

FAQs

How can I use "keep it running" in a sentence?

You can use "keep it running" to describe maintaining a process or system, such as "We need to "keep it operational" to meet our deadlines" or "Regular maintenance helps "maintain its operation"".

What's a good alternative to "keep it running"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "keep it going", "ensure its continuation", or "sustain its functionality".

Is it correct to say "kept it running" instead of "keep it running"?

Yes, "kept it running" is the past tense form of "keep it running" and is grammatically correct. For example, "They "kept it operational" despite the challenges".

When should I use "maintain its operation" instead of "keep it running"?

While similar, "maintain its operation" may be more appropriate in formal or technical contexts where a more precise term is needed. "Keep it running" is often used in more informal or general situations, unlike "preserve its performance".