keeps you awake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keeps you awake" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that prevents sleep or promotes alertness, such as a beverage or activity. Example: "Drinking coffee in the afternoon often keeps you awake at night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

It keeps you awake at night.

The Guardian - Opinion

When you're active it keeps you awake.

The New York Times - Food

It keeps you awake and alert.

The Guardian

What keeps you awake at night? [ Laughs My children sometimes.

The Guardian

It keeps you awake at night, still crazy after all these years.

The New Yorker

Q: Finally, with success at Semipalatinsk, what keeps you awake at night now?

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Now there's something to keep you awake.

Independent

Most likely to: Keep you awake at night.

The Guardian - Music

But it doesn't keep you awake at night.

The Guardian - Music

They pump them full of oxygen to keep you awake.

The Guardian - Travel

It is also guaranteed to keep you awake.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure by using active and passive voice to give more variety and impact in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "keeps you awake" repeatedly in a single piece of writing. Opt for synonyms like "prevents sleep" or "maintains alertness" to enhance readability and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keeps you awake" functions as a verb phrase. Ludwig AI indicates that it describes something that prevents sleep or promotes alertness. It typically connects a cause (e.g., caffeine, worry) with its effect (preventing sleep).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54.55%

Wiki

25.45%

HuffPost

10.91%

Less common in

Academia

3.64%

BBC

3.64%

Vice

1.82%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keeps you awake" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that prevents sleep, as validated by Ludwig AI. It is versatile enough for use in both neutral and informal contexts and its precise meaning relates to the causes and effects of what prevents someone from sleeping. Be mindful of the advice given, and, while using "keeps you awake" is acceptable, remember to consider your word choices in order to ensure your piece is engaging and varied.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

makes you stay awake

This is a more direct and less idiomatic way of expressing the same idea.

maintains alertness

This highlights the continuation of being alert and awake.

keeps you alert

This emphasizes the state of being alert, which is a result of being kept awake.

prevents you from sleeping

This alternative focuses on the action of preventing sleep, rather than maintaining wakefulness.

prevents drowsiness

This highlights the prevention of feeling sleepy, implying wakefulness.

stimulates wakefulness

This alternative emphasizes the active stimulation of being awake.

inhibits sleep

A more formal way of saying that something prevents sleep.

counteracts sleepiness

This focuses on the action of fighting against the feeling of needing to sleep.

wards off sleep

This suggests a proactive effort to avoid falling asleep.

helps you stay conscious

This suggests that something aids in maintaining consciousness and avoiding sleep.

FAQs

How can I use "keeps you awake" in a sentence?

You can use "keeps you awake" to describe something that prevents you from falling asleep. For instance, "Drinking coffee late at night often "keeps you awake"." Alternatively, you could say, "The bright light "keeps you awake" at night".

What can I say instead of "keeps you awake"?

You can use alternatives like ""prevents sleep"", "keeps you alert", or "inhibits sleep" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "keep you awake" instead of "keeps you awake"?

No, "keep you awake" is grammatically incorrect when referring to a singular subject. The correct form is ""keeps you awake"", as the verb needs to agree with the singular subject. For example, "The loud noise "keeps you awake"" is correct.

What's the difference between "keeps you awake" and "helps you stay awake"?

While both phrases imply preventing sleep, ""keeps you awake"" suggests a more direct and sometimes unwanted prevention of sleep. "Helps you stay awake" implies a more intentional or beneficial assistance in remaining awake.