keeping clear of

USAGE SUMMARY

"keeping clear of" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate avoiding or staying away from something. Example: "She was keeping clear of the crowded area." Alternative expressions include "staying away from" and "avoiding."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Far from thinking about going shopping, his first priority is keeping clear of his creditors.

The New York Times

Keeping clear of maniacal regimes leads to either nuclear acquisition or genocide — or 16 acres of rubble in Manhattan.

The New York Times

Normally the leader hides himself inside a protective posse of team-mates, keeping clear of possible accidents.

The Guardian - Sport

The ducks that frequent Central Park Lake are used to keeping clear of people in rented rowboats lurching about the water.

The New York Times - Arts

Wash the orange to remove any hint of insecticide or preservative, and shave a long spiral from the peel, keeping clear of the white, pithy material.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Moreover, by keeping clear of the war we shall be able to assist the small Powers and neutral countries Holland, Belgium, Luxemburg, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, to maintain their integrity, their neutrality, and their independence.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

These drug response predictions provide support to decisions on appropriate next steps in the development of the drug, while keeping clear line of sight on the potential to address unmet medical need.

European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

I conclude by proposing a rational decision-making procedure that ensures full appreciation of the uncertain nature of volcanic hazard estimates and maximizes the collaborative contributes of several experts and political decision-makers, while keeping clear separation of roles according to each participant's respective expertise and societal mandate.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Therefore, while on the one hand the occasional entanglement of science and policy making is accepted as an inherent part of the process, keeping clear the distinctive roles and responsibilities of each is vital.

Environmental Management

The eastern Mongols in China continued the Classical tradition, with the Oirat of Dzungaria keeping Clear Script with some modifications.

Encyclopedia Britannica

So bringing it to OS X, and keeping Clear recognizable while addressing the needs of mouse and keyboard users, presented quite a challenge.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keeping clear of" to describe deliberate actions taken to avoid something potentially harmful, dangerous, or undesirable.

Common error

Avoid using "keeping clear of" in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "evading" or "circumventing" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keeping clear of" functions as a prepositional phrase, indicating avoidance or maintaining distance from something. Ludwig confirms its usability, showing it modifies verbs by specifying what action is taken to stay away from a particular entity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keeping clear of" is a prepositional phrase used to describe the act of avoiding something, often to prevent potential harm or negative consequences. Ludwig AI analysis indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts, most commonly in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources. While the phrase is not extremely common, it is certainly acceptable. For more formal writing, alternatives such as "avoiding" or "staying away from" may be preferable. Remember to use "keeping clear of" when you want to emphasize a conscious effort to maintain distance from something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

staying away from

Focuses on the act of remaining distant, similar to avoiding.

avoiding

A more general term for preventing contact or interaction.

steering clear of

Implies careful navigation to avoid something, often trouble.

evading

Suggests skillful or strategic avoidance, often of something negative.

keeping at a distance from

Highlights the maintenance of separation.

shunning

Indicates deliberate and often social avoidance.

giving a wide berth to

Emphasizes physical distance to avoid something.

bypassing

Suggests going around something, often to avoid a problem.

sidestepping

Implies agility in avoiding something, often a difficult question or situation.

circumventing

Indicates finding a way around an obstacle or rule.

FAQs

How can I use "keeping clear of" in a sentence?

You can use "keeping clear of" to describe avoiding something, like "She was keeping clear of the dangerous area". It suggests a conscious effort to stay away.

What can I say instead of "keeping clear of"?

Alternatives to "keeping clear of" include "staying away from", "avoiding", or "steering clear of", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "keeping clear of" or "avoiding"?

"Avoiding" is generally more formal than "keeping clear of". Use "avoiding" in academic or professional contexts, and "keeping clear of" in more casual situations.

When is it appropriate to use "keeping clear of"?

It's appropriate to use "keeping clear of" when describing actions taken to avoid something potentially harmful or undesirable. For instance, "It's important to be keeping clear of any construction areas."