keep on standby

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep on standby" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when instructing someone to remain ready or available for action or response. Example: "Please keep on standby while we finalize the arrangements for the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

This includes everything: broadband routers, games consoles, televisions and their devices – anything you do not need to keep on standby while you're out of the house.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The LVAD circuit in both P and NP groups was primed with heparinized saline, then deaired, clamped, and kept on standby until T2.

BioMed Research International

Obituaries might well have been kept on standby thereafter as this once-dissolute pop star, one who had repurposed emaciation into a Romantic trope, became a near-recluse.

The Guardian - Music

Another vessel is kept on standby near the platform all the time, in case of emergency.

The Economist

Vets are being kept on standby in case the animal needs emergency treatment.

The Guardian

Some coffee shops allow their customers to buy an extra coffee which is kept on standby for a needy person who comes in, according to Facebook users.

Independent

After the rain was forecast, workers were sent to clear the pipe network, they were kept on standby and responded quickly when the water started to build up".

The Guardian

The voluntary effort, which involves building a set of modular containment equipment that would be kept on standby for emergency use, comes as oil companies seek to persuade the Obama administration to lift a temporary ban on deepwater drilling.

The New York Times

Inside one building, I saw calutrons — enormous contraptions, about fifteen feet high, relying on powerful magnets to enrich uranium — that were designed more than seventy years ago, and are still kept on standby to produce stable isotopes, if necessary.

The New Yorker

On this occasion, the Swat team was kept on standby and tear gas and flash bangs were not used – a conscious effort on the part of police, Belmar said, to learn from the lessons of Ferguson.

The Guardian

A steam locomotive was kept on standby in the new second platform at Chesham, in case of a failure of the electric trains.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep on standby" when you want to emphasize the proactive aspect of maintaining readiness, especially when referring to resources or personnel prepared for potential deployment or use.

Common error

Avoid using "keep on standby" if the situation requires immediate action. The phrase implies a state of readiness, not necessarily instant response. If immediacy is key, consider "activate immediately" or "deploy now" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep on standby" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of readiness or preparedness. As shown by Ludwig, it instructs someone or something to remain available for potential use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep on standby" is a versatile expression indicating a state of readiness or preparedness, suitable for various contexts from news reports to technical manuals. According to Ludwig AI, it’s grammatically sound and commonly used. While it doesn't denote immediate action, it emphasizes proactive readiness. Alternatives include "remain prepared", "stay available", and "be at the ready". Though Ludwig AI classifies it as correct, be mindful of the specific context to ensure the phrase aligns with the required level of formality and immediacy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain prepared

Focuses on the state of readiness rather than the act of maintaining it.

stay available

Emphasizes accessibility and being ready to be used when needed.

be at the ready

A more formal and emphatic way of expressing preparedness.

be on call

Specifically implies being available to respond to a summons or request.

be in a state of readiness

A formal way to indicate a condition of preparedness.

maintain readiness

Highlights the continuous effort to stay prepared.

hold in reserve

Suggests keeping something available for future use or need.

keep in waiting

Implies a posture of expectation and readiness.

be kept in abeyance

Suggests temporarily suspending something while remaining ready to resume.

have in readiness

Highlights possessing something that is ready for use.

FAQs

How can I use "keep on standby" in a sentence?

You can use "keep on standby" to indicate that someone or something should remain ready and available for immediate use or action. For example: "We need to "keep the backup generators on standby" in case of a power outage."

What are some alternatives to "keep on standby"?

Alternatives include "remain prepared", "stay available", or "be at the ready". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is "keep on standby" formal or informal?

"Keep on standby" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal options like "maintain readiness" exist for professional settings.

What does "keep on standby" imply about the situation?

It implies that a situation might arise where the person or thing being kept on standby will be needed. It suggests a proactive approach to preparedness.