keep the balance

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep the balance" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to finding and maintaining balance or equilibrium in a situation, either concrete or abstract. For example: "We must keep the balance between our professional and personal lives, or else we risk becoming overwhelmed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We must learn to keep the balance.

The Guardian - Books

The key is to keep the balance.

The Guardian - Film

I'll figure it out, just how to keep the balance".

The New York Times - Sports

"The economic model has changed, and this helps keep the balance of costs," she said.

The New York Times

Much can be done with barriers, timing, traps and encouraging nature to keep the balance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At times Mr. Wolfe and the cast strain to keep the balance.

The New York Times

"We have to cull the whales to keep the balance of nature".

The New York Times - Science

But Dr. Tilghman said universities had to keep the balance right.

The New York Times

"Our own forecast is that they keep the balance sheet frozen through the rest of the year".

The New York Times

So I hope that I'll be able to keep the balance going roughly as I've had it at".

Independent

He needs to find his own balance because his job is to keep the balance of the world.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts, use "keep the balance" to emphasize the need for moderation and avoiding extremes. For instance, "It's crucial to "keep the balance" between freedom and security."

Common error

While versatile, avoid using "keep the balance" excessively in highly technical or scientific writing where more precise terminology might be required. Opt for terms like "maintain homeostasis" or "preserve equilibrium" for greater accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep the balance" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the action of maintaining equilibrium or stability. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used to express the idea of finding and preserving balance across various contexts. It appears in a variety of sentence structures, emphasizing its adaptability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep the balance" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize the importance of maintaining equilibrium or moderation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across numerous contexts, from news and media to scientific writing. The phrase conveys a need to avoid extremes and foster stability, making it a valuable tool for expressing nuanced perspectives. When using the phrase, ensure its level of technicality aligns with the writing context and consider more specific terms where appropriate. With a high expert rating and a "very common" frequency, "keep the balance" is a reliable and effective phrase for promoting harmony and stability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain the balance

Focuses on actively upholding the equilibrium, often against opposing forces.

retain the balance

Uses "retain" which emphasizes holding onto an existing balance, versus actively maintaining it.

preserve the balance

Emphasizes the importance of protecting the balance from being disrupted.

uphold equilibrium

Similar to "maintain the balance" but conveys a stronger sense of defending a certain balance.

ensure equilibrium

Replaces "balance" with a synonym, "equilibrium", highlighting a state of even distribution.

sustain equilibrium

Suggests the need for ongoing effort to keep the balance in effect for the long term.

promote equilibrium

This alternative is more generic and about promoting balance without considering the specific implications for the parts.

secure stability

Shifts the focus to the outcome of maintaining balance, which is stability.

foster stability

This alternative is about creating the conditions that will lead to the outcome of maintaining balance, which is stability.

achieve harmony

This shifts the context to a more abstract concept of balance and maintaining all the parts in the same conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "keep the balance" in a sentence?

You can use "keep the balance" to suggest the importance of maintaining equilibrium or moderation in various situations. For example, "It's important to "keep the balance" between work and personal life."

What are some alternatives to "keep the balance"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "maintain the balance", "preserve the balance", or "retain the balance".

Is it better to say "keep the balance" or "maintain the balance"?

Both "keep the balance" and "maintain the balance" are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific nuance you want to convey. "Maintain" might suggest a more active or continuous effort.

When is it appropriate to use "keep the balance" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "keep the balance" in contexts where you want to emphasize the importance of maintaining equilibrium, moderation, or stability. This can apply to both concrete situations (e.g., balancing a budget) and abstract concepts (e.g., balancing different viewpoints).