keep the plants running

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep the plants running" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to maintaining the operation of machinery, systems, or processes, particularly in industries like manufacturing or agriculture. Example: "Our main goal this week is to keep the plants running smoothly to meet production targets."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

No. Were the company to be declared insolvent and go into receivership, any sensible receiver would keep the plants running.

The Economist

While the machinists walk the picket lines, abut 2,300 salaried employees have been moved to the shop floor to keep the plants running.

The New York Times

Producers of nuclear power are to contribute €2.3 billion a year; in return they want to keep the plants running beyond a deadline for closure set by an earlier government.

The Economist

The plants operate for 20 h a day, and the company spends about 5.5 million USD on diesel fuel yearly to keep the plants running [41, 42].

International Journal of Energy and Environmental Engineering

Remember, GM pays its workers even when they do not work, thus the logic that it was better to keep the plants running and give the cars away, which would at least hold onto as much market share as possible.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

But Edward Yutkowitz, a KeySpan spokesman, said the company had contingency plans to keep the plant running.

The New York Times

Whirlpool had underestimated how many workers it would need to keep the plant running through October.

The New York Times

And supervisors and newly hired employees were often called on to master highly skilled jobs to keep the plant running.

The New York Times

The panel concluded that while Kraft may initially have held the genuine belief that it could keep the plant running, based on the information it had, the American company did not have reasonable grounds for that belief.

The New York Times

The company's project in Keene captures water flowing into a treatment plant, generates up to 62 kilowatts of electricity and is enough to keep the plant running, he said.

The New York Times

December 2011: Following fears that a local assembly plant would close, Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) and Ford officials announced they had reached a deal to keep the plant running and jobs in the state.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing industrial processes or infrastructure, use "keep the plants running" to emphasize maintaining operational continuity and avoiding shutdowns.

Common error

Avoid using "keep the plants running" in casual conversations or contexts unrelated to industrial or mechanical operations, as it may sound out of place. Opt for more general phrases like "maintain operations" or "ensure everything works smoothly".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep the plants running" functions as a directive or descriptive phrase indicating the maintenance of operational status of industrial or manufacturing facilities. The examples from Ludwig suggest its use in discussions about energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep the plants running" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in English, typically employed in contexts related to maintaining the operation of industrial or manufacturing facilities. As supported by Ludwig AI, its use spans various sectors, including energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure. While not overly frequent, the phrase is well-understood and appropriate in relevant settings. Alternatives like "maintain operations" or "ensure continuous functionality" offer similar meanings. It is crucial to use this phrase in appropriate contexts to avoid sounding out of place. Overall, understanding the appropriate usage of "keep the plants running" can enhance clarity and precision in technical and industrial communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain plant operation

Focuses on the act of maintaining the operation specifically.

sustain the plants in operation

Highlights the sustainability aspect of keeping the plants active.

ensure continuous plant functionality

Emphasizes the ongoing functionality of the plants.

preserve operational plant status

Stresses the preservation of the current operational state.

continue the plants' performance

Highlights the continuation of the plants' performance levels.

hold the plants in service

Indicates keeping the plants actively serving their purpose.

keep the facilities operational

Broadens the scope to facilities, implying more than just plants.

uphold plant productivity

Focuses on maintaining the level of output from the plants.

retain the plants' working order

Highlights maintaining the condition of being in working order.

assure uninterrupted plant activity

Emphasizes ensuring there are no interruptions in the plants' activities.

FAQs

What does it mean to "keep the plants running"?

To "keep the plants running" means to maintain the operation of industrial or manufacturing facilities, ensuring they continue to function and produce output.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "keep the plants running"?

It's appropriate to use "keep the plants running" when discussing the operation and maintenance of industrial facilities, power plants, or other manufacturing units. Using "maintain plant operation" could work as well.

What are some alternatives to "keep the plants running"?

Alternatives include "maintain operations", "ensure continuous functionality", or "preserve operational status", depending on the specific context.

How does "keep the plants running" differ from "start the plants running"?

"Keep the plants running" implies maintaining an existing operational state, whereas "start the plants running" refers to initiating operations from a stopped or inactive state.