keep operational

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep operational" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to maintaining the functionality or readiness of a system, equipment, or process. Example: "To ensure the success of the mission, we must keep operational all necessary equipment and resources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

At a house fire, we need two firefighters to go inside, one to operate the pump and an officer in charge, to keep operational oversight.

The Guardian

"We honoured certain requests to keep operational details and the identity of the participants confidential," he wrote.

The Guardian - Film

The quest to maintain and keep operational large mission critical systems has always been a challenge for software practitioners.

Science of Computer Programming

Barber says that technology has to be adopted to keep operational costs down as everything else rises.

TechCrunch

On 23 August 1990, a squadron of Tornado GR1 interdictors were dispatched to the region as well, but the Tornado GR1 was difficult to keep operational due to heat.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"UNICEF realized that the Therapeutic Feeding Centre had to be kept operational and that UNICEF would have to play a leading role in its operation," he explains.

Unicef

A third 1980s start-up, Genetics Institute, has been completely swallowed by American Home Products, although it has kept operational independence.

The Economist

Ms. Bartz, who has laid off hundreds of employees and ended several products that failed to catch on, has kept operational expenses in check.

The New York Times - Tech

While some of Canada's jets date back about 30 years, Mr. MacKay said Wednesday that the fleet could be kept operational for at least another decade.

The New York Times

Mr. Ranganath kept operational costs down by hiring fresh college graduates to fill 80 percent of the 200 or so staff positions.

The New York Times

After the war these handed over to the Soviet Union, where they were kept operational until the 1990s.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing technical documentation or instructions, use "keep operational" to clearly convey the need for ongoing maintenance and readiness. It's simple and easily understood.

Common error

While "keep operational" is perfectly acceptable, avoid using it in very casual conversations. Simpler terms like "keep running" or "keep working" may sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep operational" functions as a verb phrase, where "keep" acts as a linking verb connecting to the adjective "operational." It indicates the act of maintaining something in a functional state, as demonstrated in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep operational" is grammatically sound and conveys the need to maintain something in a functional state. As noted by Ludwig, it is a usable phrase across various contexts. While not overly common (Ludwig reports a rare occurrence), it finds application in news, science, formal business, and wiki domains. For informal contexts, consider using alternatives like "keep running". Prominent sources such as The New York Times and TechCrunch use this phrase, indicating its acceptability in professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain in service

Emphasizes the continued provision of a service, differing from "keep operational" by focusing on service delivery.

ensure functionality

Focuses on guaranteeing that something continues to function as intended, rather than just being operational.

preserve working order

Highlights the act of maintaining something in a functional state, stressing its condition.

sustain operations

Stresses the continuous effort to maintain operations, implying ongoing support and resources.

retain active status

Indicates maintaining an active or usable state, suitable when referring to processes or systems.

keep in running condition

This alternative emphasizes the state of being in working order and ready to use.

maintain operability

Operability is a more formal term than operational; this suggests a higher level of technical readiness.

preserve functionality

Focuses specifically on maintaining the functional aspects of a system or item.

ensure uptime

Primarily used in technical contexts, specifically emphasizing continuous availability and operation of systems, especially IT.

serviceable condition

Focuses on the status of being fit for service through maintenance and repair.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "keep operational" in a more formal context?

In formal settings, consider using phrases such as "maintain functionality", "ensure operational status", or "preserve functionality". These alternatives often sound more professional and precise.

What's a simpler way to say "keep operational" in everyday language?

For everyday conversations, you can use alternatives like "keep running", "keep working", or "keep going" depending on the context. For example, instead of "We need to keep the system operational", you could say "We need to "keep the system running"".

Is "maintain operational" the same as "keep operational"?

While both phrases are similar, "maintain operational" often implies a more proactive or ongoing effort to ensure something stays in working order. "Keep operational" suggests a more immediate need to preserve the current state.

How to use "keep operational" in a sentence?

You can use "keep operational" when referring to maintaining the functionality or readiness of a system, equipment, or process. For example: "To ensure the success of the mission, we must "keep operational all necessary equipment and resources"".