keep the railways running

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep the railways running" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the maintenance or operation of railway systems, often in the context of ensuring they function smoothly and efficiently. Example: "The government has implemented new policies to keep the railways running during peak travel times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Sources at Network Rail say they have to try every avenue to keep the railways running, but the move will be seen as provocative by the unions.

BBC

"These are made of stern stuff which can take the winter, and we are very happy to be able to help to keep the railways running," said Henrik Reuterdahl of the Swedish Railway Museum.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

When Railtrack ran out of money, he had a legal duty to consider giving it more in order to keep the railway running.

The Economist

"By training thousands of railway staff to identify and help vulnerable people, Samaritans have helped us to save lives, reduce trauma to our people and keep the railway running for the millions that depend on it.

The Guardian

Between 1947 and 1949 the railway ran a passenger service two days a week.

Wikipedia

The financially troubled Amtrak has received permission to put up parts of New York's Pennsylvania Station as collateral for a $300 million loan to keep the national passenger railway running through September, its president said yesterday.

The New York Times

On Thursday, the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that in the months before a September derailment, operators of the historic railway had been using a small tree branch to hold down the start button to keep the trains running.

Los Angeles Times

— keep the thing running smooth.

The New Yorker

Keep the comments running.

The Guardian - Sport

Their contributions and enthusiasm keep the journal running.

Zoology

Keep the camera running.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "keep the railways running", consider the audience and adjust the level of formality accordingly. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "maintain railway operations".

Common error

While "keep the railways running" is perfectly acceptable, overuse in formal documents can make the writing sound less professional. Vary your phrasing with alternatives like "maintain railway operations" or "ensure railway functionality".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep the railways running" functions as a directive or descriptive phrase, indicating the action of maintaining the operation of a railway system. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep the railways running" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to convey the importance of maintaining railway operations. While Ludwig confirms its general usability, more formal alternatives such as "maintain railway operations" may be preferable in professional contexts. The phrase appears most commonly in news and media and wiki sources. Therefore, understanding your audience and context are very important.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain railway operations

Replaces "keep" with "maintain" and uses "operations" instead of "running" for a more formal tone.

ensure the railways function

Uses "ensure" instead of "keep" and "function" instead of "running", focusing on the functionality of the railways.

sustain railway services

Emphasizes the continuation of services provided by the railways.

preserve railway functionality

Highlights the act of maintaining the functionality of the railway system.

continue operating the railways

Focuses on the ongoing operation of the railways, highlighting a continuous process.

keep the trains operational

Shifts focus to trains as the operational units within the railway system.

maintain the train service

Focuses on the services provided rather than the infrastructure itself.

ensure train services continue

Combines ensuring and continuing the train service.

facilitate railway transport

Focuses on enabling railway transport, emphasizing the active role of ensuring movement.

prevent railway disruptions

Shifts focus to preventing interruptions in railway service rather than continuous operation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "keep the railways running" for a formal document?

For formal writing, consider using phrases like "maintain railway operations", "ensure the railways function", or "sustain railway services".

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

It means to ensure that the railway system continues to operate smoothly and efficiently, without interruptions or failures.

Is "keep the railways running" a common expression?

While understandable, it is not as frequently used as more formal alternatives. Ludwig AI indicates it's a correct and usable phrase, but less common in formal contexts.

What's the difference between "keep the railways running" and "maintain railway operations"?

"Keep the railways running" is more informal, while "maintain railway operations" sounds more professional and is better suited for formal documents.