keep my spirits up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep my spirits up" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe the act of maintaining a positive and optimistic attitude or outlook. You can use this phrase in any situation where you are trying to remain hopeful and positive, despite difficult circumstances. Example: Despite facing numerous challenges during the pandemic, I am determined to keep my spirits up and stay motivated to succeed in my career.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

I'm fighting to keep my spirits up and fear down.

The New York Times

Everybody did their best to keep my spirits up, but the unknown was frightening".

Independent

To fill my time, and keep my spirits up, I maintain my blog, chat with other patients, and am currently enrolled as a student at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition.

Stanford University

And I want to thank people around Britain who wrote to me in Guantánamo Bay to keep my spirits up, as well as to the members of the media who tried to make sure that the world knew what was going on.

The Guardian

And as I explained how I toiled each day with the diligence of Bobby Moore and the grit of Julian Dicks, humming slave songs to keep my spirits up, Travis reassured me that I was just the sort of person who needed KeyStone's help.

The Guardian - Books

They're smart, they're brilliantly creative, they work hard, keep my spirits up and they inspire me to become better.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

It keeps my mind whole, it keeps my spirits up".

The New York Times

"I've kept my spirits up," he said.

The New York Times

"Comedy keeps my spirits up," she said.

Los Angeles Times

I just try to keep stay working and that keeps my spirits up, you know what I mean?

Vice

"That light, and the belief in the goodness of human beings, kept my spirit up and allowed me to survive in there".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep my spirits up" when you want to convey a sense of active effort to maintain positivity during tough times. It acknowledges the difficulty while emphasizing resilience.

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "keep my spirits up" too frequently in very casual settings. Alternatives like "stay positive" or "look on the bright side" may sound more natural in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep my spirits up" functions as an expression of maintaining emotional well-being and a positive attitude, especially during difficult times. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

22%

Science

9%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep my spirits up" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the act of maintaining a positive attitude, especially during challenging times. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples from diverse sources like news outlets, academic articles, and personal blogs. While alternatives such as "stay positive" or "remain optimistic" exist, "keep my spirits up" specifically highlights the active effort required to sustain hope and cheerfulness. It is versatile, although less suitable for highly formal or scientific contexts, where more neutral expressions might be preferred. The prevalence of this phrase in news and media reflects its relevance in conveying resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain a positive attitude

Focuses on the active effort to stay positive.

stay optimistic

Emphasizes hopefulness about the future.

keep a positive outlook

Focuses on maintaining a forward-thinking and optimistic perspective.

remain cheerful

Highlights a sense of happiness and lightheartedness.

stay encouraged

Highlights the importance of maintaining motivation and confidence.

persevere with hope

Combines persistence with a sense of hope.

hold onto hope

Stresses the importance of not letting go of optimism.

sustain morale

Emphasizes the maintenance of group spirit or individual confidence.

avoid discouragement

Focuses on actively preventing feelings of disappointment or loss of enthusiasm.

cultivate resilience

Highlights the development of mental toughness to bounce back from adversity.

FAQs

How can I use "keep my spirits up" in a sentence?

You can use "keep my spirits up" in various contexts where you want to express maintaining a positive attitude. For example, "I'm trying to "keep my spirits up" despite the challenges ahead" or "Listening to music helps me "keep my spirits up" when I'm feeling down."

What are some alternatives to "keep my spirits up"?

You can use alternatives like "stay optimistic", "maintain a positive attitude", or "remain cheerful", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "kept my spirits up"?

Yes, "kept my spirits up" is the past tense form of the phrase and is grammatically correct. For example, "The support from my friends really kept my spirits up during a difficult time."

What is the difference between "keep my spirits up" and "stay positive"?

"Keep my spirits up" often implies an active effort to maintain a good mood or hopeful outlook, especially in challenging circumstances. "Stay positive", on the other hand, is a more general recommendation to maintain a good attitude without necessarily implying difficulty. They are similar, but "keep my spirits up" suggests more effort is involved.