'keep the initiative' is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use this phrase in a sentence when you want to advise someone to keep control of the situation by taking the initiative themselves. For example, you could say, "Don't wait around for others to make decisions - keep the initiative and take action!".
Bolton were in the same situation and we did well so hopefully we can keep the initiative.
If he is to keep the initiative, he must present solid evidence that election-day irregularities justify a recount.
The second is that both terrorists and those trying to stop them seek to keep the initiative.
UNICEF is scrambling behind the scenes to keep the initiative going.Meanwhile there is a new example of old-style aid in Sierra Leone.
Waiting for more divisions to arrive is not an attractive option for a force that is schooled in offensive operations and seeks to keep the initiative.
Just by looking busy and working the ball into gaps, you can keep the initiative, but Carberry was negative from the off and his innings got nowhere.
Powerful full-back play by Gianluca Zambrotta and Fabio Grosso kept the initiative with Italy despite conceding the goal.
23...Qb7 24.g3!? Ivanchuk keeps the initiative with a pawn sacrifice.
Jim Towey, Mr Kuo's former boss at the office of faith-based initiatives, told the Los Angeles Times: "I had marching orders from the president to keep the faith-based initiative non-political, and I did".
Greece can keep the Euro, and initiatives will be introduced that will actually allow the economy to grow, so that the debt can be paid back in full somewhere down the road.
President Obama was right to shut down debt ceiling talks the last time around and try to keep the focus on initiatives that will actually help improve the nation's economic health (and thus organically reduce the need for people's dependence on government) rather than cut spending recklessly at a time when it can do a lot of damage.
