stay neutral

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stay neutral" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to express the idea of not taking sides in a situation. For example: "It's best to stay neutral when debating politically-charged topics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We stay neutral.

The New York Times - Sports

You have to stay neutral".

The Guardian

Parliament decreed that Pakistan should stay neutral.

The Economist

The visitors delivered this request: Stay neutral.

The New York Times

"We try to stay neutral," he said.

The New Yorker

This Asad Khan has decided to stay neutral against ISIS.

Independent

Would the government stay neutral if the independence of such a national institution were threatened?

The New York Times

"You have to stay neutral no matter how strong your feelings are one way or another.

The Guardian

They might lean for the FARC or, at least, stay neutral".

The New York Times

If they are just wanting to rally and stay neutral, they can do that as well.

The Guardian - Sport

When university students began boycotting classes at the end of September, she decided to stay neutral.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to not show preference, use "stay neutral" to emphasize fairness and lack of bias. For example: "As a mediator, it's important to stay neutral during negotiations."

Common error

Avoid using "stay neutral" as an excuse for inaction when ethical considerations demand intervention. Neutrality should not equate to indifference in situations requiring moral judgment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stay neutral" primarily functions as a verb phrase used to express the act of maintaining impartiality or avoiding taking sides in a dispute or situation. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples demonstrating its application across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "stay neutral" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to advise or describe the act of maintaining impartiality. Ludwig AI confirms its wide application across news, business, science, and general contexts. While synonyms like "remain impartial" and "not take sides" exist, "stay neutral" is a direct and versatile option for conveying the importance of avoiding bias.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain impartial

Focuses on maintaining a lack of bias or prejudice.

be unbiased

Emphasizes the state of not favoring one side or opinion over another.

maintain objectivity

Stresses the importance of basing opinions on facts without personal feelings influencing them.

not take sides

Highlights the act of avoiding alignment with any particular party in a dispute.

keep an open mind

Emphasizes receptiveness to different perspectives without forming a premature opinion.

avoid partisanship

Focuses on steering clear of biased allegiance to a specific political group or cause.

refrain from judgment

Highlights the act of withholding opinions or evaluations.

observe from a distance

Suggests non-involvement and detached observation.

stand aloof

Implies a deliberate act of not participating or getting involved.

play it cool

Highlights behaving in a controlled and unexcited manner especially in a difficult situation.

FAQs

How to use "stay neutral" in a sentence?

You can use "stay neutral" to advise someone to not take sides in a conflict or argument. For example: "It's often best to "stay neutral" when coworkers are having a disagreement."

What can I say instead of "stay neutral"?

You can use alternatives like "remain impartial", "not take sides", or "maintain objectivity" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "stay neutral" or "remain neutral"?

Both "stay neutral" and "remain neutral" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often depends on stylistic preference or the specific context.

What's the difference between "stay neutral" and "stay objective"?

"Stay neutral" generally refers to not taking sides in a conflict, while "stay objective" refers to making decisions based on facts and evidence rather than personal feelings or opinions. While related, they emphasize different aspects of impartiality.