kept in service

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept in service" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is maintained or continued to be used for a specific purpose or function. Example: "The old bus was kept in service for several more years despite its age."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

And once built, they are often kept in service far longer than originally projected.

The New York Times

Certainly, the danger of an explosion increased the longer the ageing plane was kept in service.

The Guardian

And that means older fighters will be kept in service longer, increasing costs for maintenance and spare parts.

The New York Times

To keep the oil pumping, the rigs, pipelines and other equipment must be kept in service much longer than originally planned, and that is raising concerns about maintenance and safety on the oldest of the rigs.

The New York Times

Other senior Russian defense officials told the Interfax news service that some Russian nuclear rockets might be kept in service longer because of the American action, but that no major shifts in Russia's strategic posture were envisioned.

The New York Times

To keep the oil pumping, the rigs, pipelines and other equipment must be kept in service much longer than originally planned, and that is raising concerns about maintenance and safety on the oldest of the North Sea rigs.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

19] informed the British Foreign Office that it intends to keep in service 19,000 tons of over-age destroyers which otherwise would have been thrown out of commission before the New Year.

The New York Times

There is equipment here that perhaps no one else in America has had the will or ability to keep in service: three dark-red steam-driven generators, for example, installed in 1900, that together with their predecessors make this one of the oldest working sites of electric generation in the world.

The New York Times

Today, after 128 years of continuous duty, the viaduct keeps in service, with trains crossing at slow speed and alternated one-way road traffic with no heavy-weight vehicles.

Archives of Civil and Mechanical Engineering

Medusa survived the war and was one of six light cruisers Germany was permitted to keep in service by the Treaty of Versailles.

Wikipedia

Yongle kept in his service Mongol, central Asian, Jurchen, Vietnamese and Korean eunuchs.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about machinery or equipment, use "kept in service" to emphasize its continued functionality, especially after expected lifespan or potential obsolescence.

Common error

Avoid using "kept in service" when the subject is actually being stored or not actively used. "Kept in service" implies active functionality, while storage indicates inactivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept in service" functions as a verb phrase indicating the continuation of an item or system's operational status. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts, signifying that something is maintained for ongoing use, as shown in multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kept in service" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something maintained for continued use, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its frequency in news, wiki, and scientific sources highlights its versatility across different registers. While synonyms like "maintained in operation" and "remained operational" exist, each carries a slightly different nuance. Remember to use it accurately to convey continued functionality rather than storage. Ludwig AI underscores its reliability and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Maintained in operation

Focuses more on the act of maintaining something rather than just keeping it.

Remained operational

Highlights the state of being operational after a certain period.

Continued to function

Emphasizes the ongoing function of something.

Stayed active

Indicates a continued state of activity or use.

Preserved for use

Suggests a conscious effort to preserve something for future use.

Retained in use

Highlights that something was deliberately kept for continued use.

Upheld in operation

Stresses that something has been actively upheld or supported to continue its operation.

Sustained in functionality

Indicates continuous support to maintain its functionality.

Conserved for service

Implies careful management to keep something available for service.

Prolonged its usability

Focuses on extending the period something can be used.

FAQs

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

You can use "kept in service" to describe something that continues to function or operate. For example, "The old airplane was "kept in service" despite its age because it was well-maintained".

What's the difference between "kept in service" and "maintained in operation"?

"Kept in service" generally implies a continuation of use, while "maintained in operation" emphasizes the active effort to keep something running. Both are similar, but the latter highlights the maintenance aspect.

Which is more formal, "kept in service" or "remained operational"?

"Remained operational" tends to be slightly more formal, often used in technical or official contexts, whereas "kept in service" is more generally applicable.

What can I say instead of "kept in service" to emphasize continued functionality?

You could use phrases like "continued to function" or "stayed active" depending on whether you want to emphasize the process or the state of functionality.