kept in place

USAGE SUMMARY

"kept in place" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to refer to an object staying in a particular position or state. For example, "The support beam was kept in place by the metal braces."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some would be kept in place.

The New York Times

Otherwise, the economic sanctions were kept in place.

The New York Times

These platforms are commonly kept in place during drilling by cables fastened to the seafloor.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Intravaginal devices were inserted on Day 3 (Day 0 = ovulation) and kept in place for 8 days.

Animal Reproduction Science

These managers are then kept in place so their asset appreciates in value.

Harvard Business Review

The needle was kept in place for additional 3 minutes and then withdrawn.

Nature

It is unclear whether his program will be kept in place.

The New York Times

The audience, kept in place until he was safely extricated, milled about awkwardly.

The New Yorker

Higher pay bands for London and surrounding areas will be kept in place.

The Guardian

General Musharraf has insisted that emergency rule will be kept in place for the elections.

The New York Times

IPC management, led by chief executive Sly Bailey, will be kept in place.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing procedures in scientific writing, use "kept in place" to clearly indicate that a component or instrument was intentionally held steady without movement or alteration.

Common error

While "kept in place" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing it in informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "stayed" or "remained" often sound more natural in casual conversations or less formal documents.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept in place" functions as a verb phrase, typically used in the passive voice. It indicates that an object or entity was deliberately maintained in a specific position or condition. Ludwig shows examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kept in place" is a verb phrase indicating that something has been maintained in a specific position. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in scientific and news contexts. While alternatives such as "maintained in position" or "remained stationary" exist, "kept in place" often implies a deliberate action to preserve a specific arrangement. As Ludwig's examples illustrate, this phrase frequently appears in descriptions of procedures, instructions, and reports requiring precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Maintained in position

Replaces "kept" with "maintained" and "place" with "position", emphasizing the act of preserving a location.

Remained stationary

Substitutes the entire phrase with a focus on the lack of movement, using the word "stationary".

Secured firmly

Highlights the action of fastening something, rather than just maintaining its location.

Held steady

Focuses on the stability of an object, suggesting resistance to movement.

Left undisturbed

Emphasizes the absence of interference or alteration to the state or location.

Preserved intact

Focuses on maintaining the completeness and original condition of something.

Stabilized

A shorter, more technical term highlighting the act of making something stable in its position.

Anchored securely

Suggests a strong, reliable attachment to prevent movement.

Fixed in location

Emphasizes that something has been firmly attached in that location.

Retained as is

Focuses on preserving the current condition or state, rather than just physical location.

FAQs

How can I use "kept in place" in a sentence?

The phrase "kept in place" indicates that something was maintained in a specific position or condition. For example, "The bandage was "kept in place" to aid healing."

What are some alternatives to saying "kept in place"?

You can use alternatives such as "remained stationary", "maintained in position", or "held steady" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "kept in place" or "stayed in place"?

"Kept in place" and "stayed in place" are similar, but "kept in place" suggests a more deliberate action to maintain the position. "Stayed in place" implies a more passive state of remaining.

What does it mean when something is "kept in place"?

When something is "kept in place", it means that it was deliberately prevented from moving or changing its position, often for a specific purpose.