keep stringent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep stringent" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when referring to maintaining strict standards or rules, but it is more effective when paired with a noun, such as "keep stringent measures." Example: "To ensure safety, we must keep stringent measures in place during the event."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Another group, the Garden State Cricket League, was founded in 1993 with six clubs, and now has 18. "We've controlled our growth and keep stringent criteria for our teams," said Shelton Glasgow, president of the Garden State league.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

These were kept stringent to ensure reproducibility of mapping results in the in silico experiments.

BMC Plant Biology

In recent months, as the start date of the new cap-and-trade program neared, California regulators have fine-tuned the rules, industry by industry, to avoid imposing severe economic hardship while trying to keep the rules stringent.

The New York Times

On Sunday, the Greek parliament agreed to tax increases – including an increase in VAT – estimated to raise €1.8bn, together with contingency measures to raise more revenue in the event that the government in Athens fails to keep to its stringent budget plans.

The Guardian - Business

We only kept SNVs meeting stringent quality criteria: 1) Minimum allele quality: accumulated sequence quality for every allele; 2) Minimum mapping quality.

BMC Genomics

The triumphs of the sportswear giant, and other ambushers, have compelled the I.O.C. to impose ever more stringent rules to keep corporate crashers away from the party.

The New York Times - Sports

There are bathroom fixtures and a water main to be put in, and most important, a hood and exhaust system that can pass stringent codes and keep Mr. Ley's customers and employees safe.

The New York Times - Food

The current episode has a particular sting because Europe has been writing increasingly stringent rules to keep Africans from migrating there, culminating most recently in a new French law that in some cases requires DNA testing to get visas for family members.

The New York Times

Stringent capital controls keep most Chinese currency in the country, leaving investors very few places to put their money.

Forbes

The low level of wages in technical universities, the need to keep staff, resource constraints, and stringent business environment contributed to a mutual interest in cooperation.

Triple Helix

He thinks that typically the requirement to keep one's promises is more stringent than the requirement to benefit other people (RG 19).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, consider pairing "keep stringent" with a noun to specify what is being maintained strictly, such as "keep stringent measures".

Common error

Avoid using "keep stringent" without clearly defining what the strict standards apply to. This can lead to ambiguity and weaken the impact of your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep stringent" functions as a verb phrase, where "keep" acts as a linking verb indicating a state of maintaining, and "stringent" serves as an adjective describing the quality of being strict or rigorous. As Ludwig AI notes, it is more effective when followed by a noun such as "measures".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep stringent" is an acceptable, but not very common, way to express the idea of maintaining a strict standard. Ludwig AI suggests that it's more effective when paired with a noun, as in "keep stringent measures". Alternatives like "maintain strict" or "uphold rigorous" are often more natural. While grammatically sound, "keep stringent" may sound awkward to some. It finds use in varied sources like News & Media and Science, but less so in formal Business settings. Therefore, while technically correct, writers should consider more conventional alternatives for improved clarity and style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain strict

Replaces "keep" with "maintain" and "stringent" with "strict", providing a more common phrasing.

uphold rigorous

Uses "uphold" instead of "keep" and "rigorous" instead of "stringent", resulting in a more formal tone.

enforce strict

Replaces "keep" with "enforce", shifting the focus to actively enforcing a rule.

adhere to strict

Changes the structure to emphasize adherence rather than maintenance of the standards.

preserve strict

Focuses on preserving the strictness of something over time.

ensure stringent

Shifts the focus to ensuring that something remains stringent.

observe stringent

Highlights the act of observing stringent rules or guidelines.

meet stringent

Focuses on satisfying stringent requirements or standards.

retain stringent

Emphasizes the act of retaining something stringent.

impose stringent

Focuses on the act of imposing stringent rules.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep stringent" to describe maintaining strict standards. For example, "We must "keep stringent measures" in place to ensure safety."

What are some alternatives to "keep stringent"?

Alternatives include "maintain strict", "uphold rigorous", or "enforce strict", depending on the desired nuance.

Which sounds more natural, "keep stringent" or "maintain strict"?

"Maintain strict" generally sounds more natural and is more commonly used in contemporary English.

What's the difference between "keep stringent" and "adhere to strict"?

"Keep stringent" focuses on maintaining the existing strictness, while "adhere to strict" emphasizes following or complying with strict rules.