keep steady

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep steady" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to ask someone to maintain a consistent level of effort. For example, "If we all keep steady, we should have our project finished in time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

The America-China relationship is difficult to keep steady in better times.

The Economist

He jumps before turns to avoid losing his balance and dances into bends to keep steady and on beat.

The New York Times

The Mini PenCam is so small it can be hard to keep steady, meaning that pictures are sometimes fuzzy.

The New York Times - Tech

Attaching the phone to a mini-tripod – one you can hold in your hand – will make it easier to keep steady.

The Guardian

Because you need to protect yourself, you need to keep steady, but at the same time you don't want to seem 'walled off'".

The Guardian

He tipped to the right toward the roses, then he tipped to the left, and held the old metal railing to keep steady.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

It is necessary not only to keep steady-state constraints, but also to maintain transient constraints during the load restoration process.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

The horse keeps steady.

The Guardian - Travel

The dancing kept steady.

The New York Times - Arts

Yes, he has kept steady under fire.

Independent

The Sony, though, kept steady focus in dim rooms that made the Panasonic go focus-hunting.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep steady" in technical writing, ensure the context clearly defines what needs to be kept stable, such as pressure, voltage or temperature.

Common error

Avoid using "keep steady" to describe situations where stability is passively maintained. The phrase implies active effort or intervention to maintain equilibrium, not a static or unchanging state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep steady" primarily functions as a phrasal verb, often used to instruct or advise someone to maintain a stable or consistent state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

33%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep steady" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for advising or commanding the maintenance of stability or consistency. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts. It is particularly common in News & Media and Science, and maintains a neutral register. To ensure effective usage, avoid applying it to passive scenarios and define explicitly what requires stabilization. Related alternatives include "maintain balance" and "stay consistent". By heeding these guidelines, you can confidently incorporate "keep steady" into your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay consistent

Highlights uniformity over time, similar to "keep steady" but with less emphasis on active effort.

maintain balance

Focuses on physical or metaphorical equilibrium, differing from "keep steady" which can also imply consistency.

remain constant

Emphasizes unchanging nature, while "keep steady" implies maintaining a desired state despite potential fluctuations.

hold firm

Suggests resisting pressure or opposition, whereas "keep steady" focuses on continuous maintenance.

hold the line

Suggests preventing something from worsening or being lost, whereas "keep steady" simply describes maintenance.

keep consistent momentum

Emphasizes uniformity and progress over time; "keep steady" can be continuous maintenance without the need of progress.

persevere

Implies continuing despite difficulty, while "keep steady" can refer to maintaining a state even without significant obstacles.

maintain momentum

Highlights the continuous progress, while "keep steady" focuses on maintaining the level of effort.

sustain

Focuses on providing continued support, while "keep steady" focuses on the continuous maintenance.

keep up the pace

Highlights continuing at the same speed or rate, while "keep steady" focuses on maintaining the effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep steady" to describe maintaining a consistent level of effort, pressure, or pace. For example, "Keep steady pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding" or "We need to "keep steady" progress to finish the project on time".

What are some alternatives to "keep steady"?

Alternatives to "keep steady" include "maintain balance", "remain constant", or "stay consistent", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "keep steady" or "kept steady"?

The choice between "keep steady" and "kept steady" depends on the tense of the sentence. Use "keep steady" for present or future actions (e.g., "We must "keep steady""), and "kept steady" for past actions (e.g., "The machine "kept steady"").

In what situations is "keep steady" most appropriate?

"Keep steady" is best used when describing an active effort to maintain something in a consistent state, whether it's physical balance, emotional control, or consistent progress on a task.