keep up

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep up" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express encouragement or remind someone to maintain the current level of performance. For example: "Keep up the good work, you're doing great!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Will keep up.

The New York Times - Sports

Keep up the work!

The New York Times

Keep up your hope!

The New Yorker

Try to keep up.

The Guardian

Revenues can't keep up.

The New York Times

Who can keep up?

The New York Times

Better keep up, Kim.

The New York Times

He can't keep up.

The New York Times - Magazine

Keep up the research!

Columbia University

Keep up with lectures!

University of California, Berkeley

Keep up blogging.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep up" to encourage someone to continue their current effort or performance level. For example, "Keep up the good work!" is a common way to express approval and motivation.

Common error

Avoid using "keep up" as a transitive verb without a clear object. "Keep up it" is incorrect; instead, use "keep it up" or rephrase the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "keep up" primarily functions as an intransitive verb to describe maintaining a certain pace or level, or as a transitive verb (with "with") to describe staying informed. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

28%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Science

19%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep up" is a versatile phrasal verb commonly used to encourage continued effort, maintain pace, or stay informed. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. Its usage spans from informal encouragement to professional requirements for staying updated. Be mindful of its transitive and intransitive forms to ensure correct usage, and remember that it's a valuable tool for both motivating others and describing one's own efforts to stay current.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain pace

Focuses on matching speed or progress.

stay abreast

Emphasizes remaining informed about developments.

continue the effort

Highlights the persistence in maintaining progress.

sustain the momentum

Focuses on maintaining the current rate of progress or activity.

preserve the level

Highlights maintaining a specific standard or degree.

remain informed

Emphasizes staying up-to-date with information.

persevere

Focuses on continuing despite difficulties.

go on

Simple way to encourage someone to continue.

carry on

Emphasizes continuing in spite of difficulties.

don't give up

Highlights the importance of not ceasing effort.

FAQs

How can I use "keep up" in a sentence?

You can use "keep up" to encourage someone to continue doing something well, like saying "Keep up the good work!". It can also mean to stay at the same level or pace as someone or something, as in "It's hard to keep up with the latest technology".

What are some alternatives to "keep up"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "maintain pace", "stay abreast", or "continue the effort".

Is it correct to say "keep up the good work"?

Yes, "keep up the good work" is a common and grammatically correct way to encourage someone to continue doing well. It's a positive and supportive expression.

What does it mean to "keep up with" something?

To "keep up with" something means to stay informed or current about it, or to progress at the same rate as something else. For example, "I try to keep up with current events" means I try to stay informed about what's happening in the world.