keep ready

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep ready" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express the idea of preparing for something or being ready to take on a task or challenge. For example, "Make sure you keep ready for the upcoming test."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"It's something that, you don't want to be in that situation," Dudley said of trying to keep ready.

The New York Times - Sports

The right gunner was to prime the piece and load it with powder, while the left gunner would fetch the powder from the magazine and keep ready to fire the cannon at the officer's command.

Wikipedia

He returned to the ancient practice of granting licences to retain liveried followers and installed Lord Lieutenants that represented the central government and were to keep ready small bands of cavalry.

Wikipedia

That's why it seems to mothers that it's better to take delivery at home".- (FGD with mothers) "It is true that the delivering mothers are insulted beyond words at the hospital .- (FGD with fathers) Women in the community reported certain things that they keep ready with them which might be useful at the time of delivery.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Soak the coconut milk and keep ready.

WikiHow

Thread the chicken onto skewers and keep ready.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

For guests who pop-in unexpectedly, keep ready-to-serve delights in the pantry such as Giada De Laurentiis for Target Marinated Sun Dried Tomatoes, Marinated Roasted Red Peppers and Marinated Mushrooms for quick entertaining options.The Giada De Laurentiis for Target Genovese Basil Pesto and Eggplant & Pepper Pesto are also easy and delicious treats.

Huffington Post

Keep ready-to-eat snacks like cups of raw vegetables or fruit on hand.

WikiHow

Weapons design and manufacturing facilities should be kept ready for such a contingency.

The New York Times

She still keeps ready an emergency backpack with passport, credit card, cash and mobile phone.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They will be kept ready for a possible pandemic in which almost any vaccine, however untested, may be used.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep ready" in instructions or recipes, follow it with a specific description of what needs to be prepared. For example, "Keep the ingredients ready for mixing."

Common error

While "keep ready" is acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "maintain readiness" or "ensure preparedness" in academic or professional contexts. This enhances the sophistication and precision of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep ready" functions primarily as a directive verb phrase. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a correct and usable phrase. It instructs someone to maintain a state of preparedness or to have something readily available, as seen in the examples: "Keep ready any documents..." or "They will be kept ready for a possible pandemic...".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

37%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep ready" is a grammatically correct phrase that conveys the idea of maintaining a state of preparedness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable in written English. Its usage frequency is uncommon, appearing mainly in Wiki, News & Media, and Science contexts. For more formal settings, consider alternatives such as "maintain readiness". Remember to provide specific instructions when using "keep ready", clarifying what needs to be prepared. Common mistakes can be avoided by using more sophisticated alternatives in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay prepared

Replaces "keep" with "stay", emphasizing the continuous nature of being prepared.

maintain readiness

Uses a more formal tone, replacing "keep" with "maintain" and "ready" with its noun form.

be on standby

Implies being available and prepared for immediate action.

stand by

Similar to "be on standby" but shorter and more direct.

remain vigilant

Shifts the focus to alertness and watchfulness, a specific type of readiness.

prepare oneself

Highlights the act of preparing oneself for a future event or task.

hold in readiness

Emphasizes maintaining a state of being ready.

get geared up

Informal and emphasizes the equipping aspect of preparing.

make preparations

Focuses on the actions taken to get ready.

be in a state of preparedness

A more formal and elaborate way to express readiness.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep ready" to describe maintaining a state of preparedness for something. For instance, "Keep ready any documents you wish to upload as a study material" or "The carrier's B5Ns were armed with torpedoes and "kept ready" in case enemy ships were discovered".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "keep ready"?

Some alternatives include "stay prepared", "maintain readiness", or "be on standby". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "keep ready" or "stay ready"?

Both "keep ready" and "stay ready" are acceptable, but "stay ready" might sound more natural in some contexts. "Keep ready" emphasizes the effort to maintain that state of being.

What's the difference between "keep ready" and "get ready"?

"Keep ready" implies maintaining an existing state of preparedness, while "get ready" refers to the process of preparing for something. For example, you "get ready" for a party, then "keep ready" with snacks for your guest who might pop in unexpectedly.