keys off of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keys off of" is correct and usable in written English. It is usually used when talking about taking an idea or starting point from something else in order to make something new. Example: We used the same music style as the previous album, but keys off of that to create our own unique sound.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The proposal is thus a vindication of Strawson's view, in that the judgment of falsehood keys off of a pragmatic notion one of being a cooperative discourse partner.

SEP

4. A strong reaction along the lines of "is he a control freak or what?" keys off of Armstrong's fundamental and limitless desire to be in charge of every step of every [encounter] he is involved with.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Besides, says Hill, the First Call estimate is still "what the market as a whole is keying off of".

Forbes

Transactions in both the digital and offline space are increasingly tied to CRM systems keyed off of an email.

TechCrunch

Once you've taken all of the keys off, you can take the keyboard housing apart.

WikiHow

Presentation of the evidence keyed off a number of communication ideas in the communities; supporting communities to bring their own communication ideas to life seems to have had a broadly positive effect.

BMC Health Services Research

"That's what the equity markets are keying off of".

The New York Times

"A lot of commodities are keyed off of oil," Mr. Bentz said.

The New York Times

Speaking of Mr. Martin's influence on his Obama writings, Mr. Sampley said, "I keyed off of his work".

The New York Times

As we noted in our article, at the Founding, Fourth Amendment protection was keyed off of positive law rights.

The Washington Post

"I'm going to be running the animal that's going to be the consistent racehorse in the race that everybody is going to have to watch and key off of," Ward said.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keys off of" when you want to emphasize that an idea, project, or analysis is directly based on or inspired by a preceding concept or event. Ensure the connection between the base and the derived element is clear to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "keys off of" loosely. It is important that what you are describing truly depends on or takes significant inspiration from the source you are referencing, otherwise, a simpler phrase like "relates to" or "mentions" might be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "keys off of" functions to indicate that something is using another thing as a basis or starting point. Ludwig AI's examples show it denoting dependence or influence of one concept or object upon another.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

20%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keys off of" functions as a phrasal verb indicating that something is based on or takes inspiration from something else. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and identifies its usage across various contexts, including news, science, academia, and wiki sources. While not overly common, it is a useful expression for clearly establishing a relationship of dependence or influence. Related phrases include "is based on" and "relies on", offering alternative ways to convey the same core concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is based on

Direct synonym, implying a foundation or starting point.

is predicated on

More formal, suggesting a logical dependence or assumption.

relies on

Implies dependence for success or validity.

is influenced by

Highlights the impact one thing has on another.

takes its cue from

Suggests imitation or inspiration.

draws upon

Implies using something as a resource or source of information.

is derived from

Indicates origin or source.

hinges on

Emphasizes critical dependence.

is modeled after

Suggests a deliberate copying or adaptation of a model.

builds upon

Implies adding to an existing foundation.

FAQs

How can I use "keys off of" in a sentence?

Use "keys off of" to indicate that something is based on or takes inspiration from something else. For example, "The new software "keys off of" user feedback to improve functionality".

What does "keys off of" mean?

"Keys off of" means to use something as a starting point or foundation for further development or action. It suggests a direct relationship of dependence or influence.

Are there formal alternatives to "keys off of"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "is predicated on", "is based on", or "relies on". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "keying off of" or should it always be "keys off of"?

Both "keying off of" and ""keys off of"" are correct depending on the context. "Keying off of" is the present participle form used in continuous tenses, while ""keys off of"" is the third-person singular present tense.