keep them fed

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep them fed" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone needs to provide food or sustenance for another person (or group of people). For example, you might say "We need to make sure to keep them fed" to refer to providing food for a group of people.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

This gets kids to fold together a menagerie of colourful animals, then keep them fed and entertained.

The Guardian - Tech

"I keep them fed good, watered good, and I got about four or five dogs in there with them that keeps the varmints out," he said.

The New York Times

Women raced to keep them fed, while we watched, horrified, as their saris swirled within inches of being snagged and dragged into the machines.

The Guardian - Travel

Helping keep them fed is a volunteer corps of about 80, who work two-hour shifts weighing kittens, taking notes on their eating habits and mixing gruel for those more than a month or so old.

The Washington Post

But imagine if I shared my home with a human who acts as they do, who creates 95% of the mess but never clears up ever, who expects me to pay for everything, to keep them fed and warm, well-groomed and healthy, as they lounge about, snoring while I'm trying to work, and demanding twice a day that I drop what I am doing and take them somewhere lovely for a walk.

The Guardian

But those who built the country from the ground up from manual labor to laborious industrialization have little social safety net to keep them fed every day.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Mr. Gathers is working for the Sanitation Department to qualify for public assistance; $555 in monthly food stamps keeps them fed.

The New York Times

What came through the tube kept them fed, but what sustained them, and humbled everyone else, was the way they worked together, sang together, kept faith together.

The New Yorker

One found a truck washed up by the waves that was filled with food, which barely kept them fed until the first helicopters reached them four days later.

The New York Times

In looking for an army of searchers that could be mobilized quickly, NASA looked to the Forest Service, which sends out hundreds or even thousands of firefighters each summer and keeps them fed and billeted.

The New York Times

As the eldest he provides the whole cell with physical and emotional support and keeps them fed with nutrients and proteins pic.twitter.com/l0KAeJGGDN.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about populations facing food insecurity, use "keep them fed" to emphasize the ongoing and continuous effort required to provide sustenance.

Common error

Avoid using passive constructions like "they need to be kept fed". Active voice, such as "we must keep them fed", is more direct and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep them fed" functions as a directive, indicating the necessity of providing food or nourishment. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, from caring for animals to addressing food insecurity in populations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

21%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Reference

0%

Science

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep them fed" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that conveys the need for consistently providing sustenance. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness for various contexts, particularly in news and media, general discussions, and formal business communications. While alternative, more formal phrases exist, "keep them fed" effectively communicates the core message in many situations. Remember to prioritize active voice when using this phrase to maximize clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide them with sustenance

Uses more formal vocabulary to convey the idea of providing what is needed to survive.

ensure their nourishment

Focuses on the nutritional aspect, emphasizing the provision of essential nutrients.

see to their feeding

Replaces "keep" with "see to", which is a softer alternative, but is grammatically correct.

make sure they are nourished

Emphasizes the result of the feeding, their state of being nourished.

feed them regularly

Highlights the regularity of the action, focusing on consistent provision.

give them food

Simplifies the phrase to its most basic components.

sustain them with food

Focuses on the sustaining aspect of feeding, maintaining their life and energy.

maintain their diet

Shifts the focus to the ongoing maintenance of their dietary needs.

nourish and sustain them

Combines two key aspects of feeding: providing nutrients and maintaining life.

administer their meals

Presents a more formal and perhaps clinical approach to feeding.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "keep them fed" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "provide them with sustenance", "ensure their nourishment", or "see to their feeding". Each option offers a slightly different nuance while maintaining the core meaning.

Is "keep them fed" suitable for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "keep them fed" might be considered too informal for some academic contexts. Depending on the field, alternatives like "provide sustenance" or "ensure nourishment" may be more appropriate.

What does it mean to "keep them fed"?

To "keep them fed" means to consistently provide food or nourishment to a person, animal, or group. It implies an ongoing effort to ensure they receive adequate sustenance.

How does "keep them fed" differ from simply "feed them"?

"Feed them" is a simple action of giving food, while "keep them fed" implies a continuous or repeated action to maintain their nutritional needs over a period of time. It suggests a sustained effort to ensure they don't go hungry.