keep the peace

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep the peace" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to maintain order and prevent conflict or disturbance. Here are two examples of how you can use it: 1. The police were called in to help keep the peace during the large protest. 2. It is important for neighbors to communicate and work together to keep the peace in their community.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who Should Keep the Peace?

Harvard University

Beijing is eager to keep the peace.

The New York Times

International institutions will keep the peace.

The New York Times

Too late to keep the peace?

The Economist

Will Wetherspoon keep the peace?

The Times

They are paid to keep the peace.

The New York Times

They could – but were insufficient to keep the peace.

Independent

A sheriff's deputy was called to keep the peace.

The New York Times

The city is well equipped to keep the peace.

The New York Times

We need to keep the peace in our neighborhoods.

The New York Times

She said she apologized, hoping to keep the peace.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep the peace" when referring to maintaining order in a potentially volatile situation, whether in a personal, social, or political context. This phrase is suitable for describing actions taken to prevent disruptions or conflicts.

Common error

Don't use "keep the peace" to describe simply avoiding disagreements. The phrase implies a potential for disruption or conflict that needs to be actively prevented. It's not just about being polite, but about maintaining order in a situation where it might be lost.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "keep the peace" is as a verb phrase, where "keep" acts as a transitive verb and "the peace" functions as its direct object. This phrase is often used to describe the action of maintaining order or preventing conflict, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

12%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

HuffPost

8%

Vice

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep the peace" is a very common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of maintaining order and preventing conflict. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and prevalence across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's crucial to remember that "keep the peace" implies active prevention in potentially disruptive situations, not just the absence of conflict. Consider using related phrases like ""maintain order"" or "preserve harmony" for nuanced meanings. When writing, ensure that the phrase accurately reflects the need for proactive measures to avoid disruption.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain order

Focuses on the act of maintaining a structured environment, slightly broader than just preventing conflict.

preserve harmony

Emphasizes a state of agreement and tranquility, rather than just preventing discord.

prevent conflict

Highlights the act of stopping disagreements from escalating.

ensure tranquility

Stresses the result of maintaining peace: a calm and undisturbed environment.

foster concord

Implies active promotion of agreement and unity.

uphold stability

Focuses on supporting a consistent and unchanging state, often in a political or social context.

mediate disputes

Involves intervening in disagreements to reach a resolution.

promote reconciliation

Highlights the process of restoring friendly relations after conflict.

broker peace

Suggests acting as an intermediary to negotiate an end to hostilities.

enforce compliance

Emphasizes compelling obedience to rules or laws, which can maintain order.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep the peace" to describe actions taken to maintain order and prevent conflict. For example, "The police were called to "maintain order" and "keep the peace" during the protest".

What are some alternatives to "keep the peace"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "preserve harmony", "prevent conflict", or "ensure tranquility" as alternatives to "keep the peace".

What is the difference between "keep the peace" and "maintain order"?

"Keep the peace" specifically refers to preventing disruptions and conflicts, while ""maintain order"" is a more general term that encompasses organizing and regulating a situation, regardless of potential conflict.

Is it appropriate to use "keep the peace" in formal writing?

Yes, "keep the peace" is appropriate in formal writing, especially when discussing legal, political, or social contexts where maintaining order is crucial. It is a neutral and widely understood phrase.