keeping afloat

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keeping afloat" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of maintaining a certain level of stability or survival, often in a challenging situation. Example: "Despite the financial difficulties, the small business is managing to keep afloat."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Criminal defence firms are only just keeping afloat after the wave of cuts last year.

The Guardian

"Right now, we're more focused on keeping afloat day to day," Ms. Kurczewski said.

The New York Times - Travel

They had let it sink while keeping afloat other companies, such as a local liquor firm called Jinro.

The Economist

Keeping afloat through the potential doldrums of motivic development is one of the great tests for any conductor.

The Guardian - Music

Loathing the occasional job he took as an advertising copywriter, he generally preferred unemployment, keeping afloat with subsidies from his father and loans from friends.

The New Yorker

Many economists, however, consider that keeping afloat the most troubled savings banks, or cajas, will require fresh capital rather than more mergers and cost cutting.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

The employees get to keep the bonuses while AIG is deprived of funds that were supposedly essential to keeping it afloat.

The Economist

And what is keeping it afloat?

The New York Times

But his leadership style is keeping him afloat.

The New York Times

"What has been keeping labels afloat has been the digital story," said Mr. Mulligan, of Forrester Research.

The New York Times - Tech

It is the financial backing of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait that is keeping Egypt afloat.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keeping afloat" when describing efforts to maintain stability amidst chaos, not just in financial contexts. It signifies managing to stay functional despite disruptive forces.

Common error

Avoid using "keeping afloat" in overly casual conversations. While understood, more straightforward language like "managing" or "getting by" may be more appropriate in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keeping afloat" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a noun, often describing the state of barely managing to survive or maintain stability, especially in challenging situations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keeping afloat" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of maintaining stability or surviving in a challenging situation. As Ludwig AI indicates, its applications span various contexts, particularly in news and media, where it often refers to financial struggles or organizational survival. The phrase conveys resilience and ongoing effort. While suitable for formal and neutral settings, alternatives like "staying afloat" or "getting by" may be more appropriate for casual conversations. Remember to use this phrase to highlight the difficulties and persistence in maintaining equilibrium, rather than in overly informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

staying afloat

Focuses on the act of remaining in a stable condition, much like "keeping afloat".

remaining solvent

Emphasizes financial stability and avoiding bankruptcy, similar to the financial implications of "keeping afloat".

surviving the crisis

Highlights the aspect of enduring a challenging period, which is a key component of "keeping afloat".

making ends meet

Focuses on managing resources to cover expenses, a common concern when "keeping afloat".

weathering the storm

Suggests enduring a difficult situation and emerging successfully, similar to the resilience implied by "keeping afloat".

managing to survive

Stresses the basic act of survival, which is at the core of "keeping afloat".

holding on

Indicates persistence and resilience in difficult circumstances, synonymous with aspects of "keeping afloat".

eking out an existence

Implies a struggle for survival with limited resources, a condition that often necessitates "keeping afloat".

scraping by

Describes managing to live on very little, similar to the resourcefulness involved in "keeping afloat".

treading water

Captures the idea of exerting effort just to maintain the current state, similar to "keeping afloat".

FAQs

How can I use "keeping afloat" in a sentence?

You can use "keeping afloat" to describe managing to survive or maintain stability, often in difficult circumstances. For example, "The company is struggling to keep afloat during the recession."

What are some alternatives to using "keeping afloat"?

Alternatives include "staying afloat", "remaining solvent", or "weathering the storm", depending on the specific context.

Is "keeping afloat" formal or informal?

"Keeping afloat" is suitable for both neutral and formal contexts, but more informal options like "getting by" might be preferable in casual conversation.

What does "keeping afloat" imply?

"Keeping afloat" implies a struggle to maintain a certain state, often financial stability, in the face of adversity. It suggests resilience and ongoing effort.