keep time with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep time with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of maintaining synchronization or rhythm with something or someone, often in a musical or metaphorical context. Example: "The drummer was able to keep time with the rest of the band, ensuring a perfect performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science & Research

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Keeping an even rhythm will help you keep time with others.

WikiHow

Contemporary critics questioned his ability to keep time, with biographer Tony Fletcher suggesting that the timing on Tommy was "all over the place".

Wikipedia

Cranes from the Miocene would keep time with cranes today.

The Guardian

But to keep time with Wittenberg, Capiraso must pick up the pace.

The New York Times - Sports

Most religious organisations keep time with an internal clock about four centuries behind GMT.

Independent

It's true, and he manages to keep time with Gotye's "Somebody That I Used to Know" while doing so.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

She screamed the words in a hoarse voice, & kept time with her umbrella.

The New Yorker

… The tune of this ditty was rather monotonous, but had a pleasing effect, as they kept time with it at every stroke of their oars".

The New York Times

Mr. Connors, who was known for his big black cowboy hat, got his nickname from the emphatic way he kept time with his left foot.

The New York Times - Arts

As Dicky moves back, as if in retreat, his head and fists dart in and out of the frame as his harsh breathing keeps time with his hands.

The New York Times

Based on how well the kids kept time with the drumming, the researchers divided them into "synchronizers" and "nonsynchronizers".

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep time with" when you want to emphasize maintaining synchronicity or rhythm, whether literally (in music) or figuratively (in other contexts).

Common error

Avoid using "keep time with" when the intention is simply to record or measure time. The phrase implies synchronization, not just measurement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep time with" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the act of maintaining synchronicity with a rhythm, pace, or event. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Wiki

24%

Science & Research

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep time with" is a commonly used and grammatically correct verb phrase that describes the act of synchronizing or coordinating with a rhythm, pace, or event. According to Ludwig AI, its use is widespread and generally accepted in various contexts, ranging from music and dance to more abstract situations. The phrase appears frequently in news and media, as well as in wiki articles. Related phrases include "stay in sync with" and "maintain rhythm with". When using "keep time with", it's important to ensure that the context implies synchronization and not simply time measurement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay in sync with

Replaces "keep" and "time" with "stay" and "sync", emphasizing synchronization.

maintain rhythm with

Focuses on the rhythmic aspect of keeping time.

synchronize with

A more formal and direct way of expressing alignment in time.

coordinate with

Implies a more deliberate effort to match timing.

move in unison with

Emphasizes moving together at the same rate.

march in step with

Specifically refers to marching or walking at the same pace.

follow the beat of

Focuses on following a musical rhythm.

align with

A broader term suggesting agreement in timing or pace.

accord with

A more formal synonym for aligning or agreeing with.

be in harmony with

Suggests a pleasant or agreeable matching of timing.

FAQs

How can I use "keep time with" in a sentence?

You can use "keep time with" to describe synchronizing with a rhythm, pace, or event. For example, "The drummer struggled to "keep time with" the band" or "The dancers "kept time with" the music".

What are some alternatives to "keep time with"?

Alternatives include "stay in sync with", "maintain rhythm with", or "synchronize with", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "kept time with"?

Yes, "kept time with" is the past tense form of the phrase and is grammatically correct. For example, "She "kept time with" the song using her umbrella".

What's the difference between "keep time with" and "keep up with"?

"Keep time with" implies synchronizing with something rhythmic or paced, while "keep up with" means maintaining pace or progress alongside something that's changing or advancing.