kept up morale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept up morale" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing efforts to maintain or boost the spirits and confidence of a group, especially in challenging situations. Example: "During the difficult project, the manager worked hard to keep up morale among the team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

During the harsh Antarctic winter, the advance party huddled in a 28ft by 8ft packing crate because a blizzard had buried the panels for their intended hut, Homard kept up morale.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Keep up morale Since my contract was terminated, I have heard of many more dismissals across the tech industry for not bringing enough money into the business.

The Guardian

To keep up morale, the cast began playing pranks on each other.

The Guardian

"There was a constant struggle to keep up morale," Dr. Bausch said.

The New York Times

But, in order to keep up morale among the troops, he kept insisting at the time that we were "winning".

The New Yorker

Some look at payroll as a burden; we look at it as human capital, and we work hard to keep up morale in tough times.

The New York Times

To keep up morale, the soldiers were paid 850 rubles ($30) for every day they saw combat, supplementing their otherwise nominal pay.

The New York Times - Magazine

However, I doubt that great commemorative ceremonies were felt to be needed to keep up morale and unite the country on Dec. 7, 1942.

The New York Times

Instead, they should now start asking nasty questions about which staff should stay and which should go, which offices should close and what products they should stop making.Time for the Shackleton approachAfter that, they need to keep up morale.

The Economist

Mr. Bronstein "did a pretty good job of merging the two staffs, trying to keep up morale," said Carl T. Hall, an organizer for the Northern California Media Workers Guild who is on leave from his job as a Chronicle reporter.

The New York Times

While the eldest, Elizabeth, tries to keep up morale with boosterish enthusiasm, glowering local boy Calum Ian and his younger brother, Duncan, siphon petrol out of cars to start fires, hide food from the other children and rebel against Elizabeth's leadership.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to show support during tough times, use "kept up morale" to demonstrate maintaining a positive environment through your actions.

Common error

Avoid using "kept up morale" when the situation requires more than just maintaining spirits; if drastic improvements or interventions are needed, consider stronger terms like "transformed the atmosphere" or "completely revitalized their outlook" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept up morale" primarily functions as a verb phrase, describing the act of maintaining a positive emotional state within a group or individual, often in difficult circumstances. Ludwig AI shows examples in various contexts where maintaining morale is critical.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kept up morale" is a versatile phrase used to describe the act of maintaining a positive emotional state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across diverse contexts, primarily in news and media. While its register is generally neutral, it finds relevance in professional settings, underscoring its significance in leadership and team dynamics. The phrase effectively conveys efforts to sustain optimism, boost team spirit, and encourage positivity during challenging times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintained team spirit

Focuses on the spirit within a team rather than general morale.

boosted their spirits

Emphasizes raising spirits rather than continuous maintenance.

sustained optimism

Highlights the persistence of a positive outlook.

preserved positivity

Focuses on actively maintaining a positive attitude.

fostered encouragement

Implies active promotion of supportive environment.

uplifted their mood

Addresses the emotional state with a focus on elevation.

instilled confidence

Suggests building confidence from a starting point of low assurance.

cultivated enthusiasm

Implies a deliberate effort to grow excitement and interest.

promoted well-being

Focuses on overall health and happiness, more general than morale.

nurtured a positive atmosphere

Highlights creating a supportive environment to maintain good feelings.

FAQs

How can I use "kept up morale" in a sentence?

You can use "kept up morale" to describe actions taken to maintain a positive attitude in challenging situations, for instance: "Despite the setbacks, the team leader "kept up morale" by celebrating small victories".

What are some alternative phrases for "kept up morale"?

Alternatives include "maintained team spirit", "boosted their spirits", or "sustained optimism", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "kept up morale" in formal writing?

Yes, "kept up morale" is suitable for formal writing, especially in reports or articles discussing leadership or team dynamics. However, ensure the tone matches the overall formality of the piece.

What's the difference between "kept up morale" and "improved morale"?

"Kept up morale" suggests maintaining an already positive or acceptable level, while "improved morale" indicates a rise from a lower or negative state.