to keep in form

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to keep in form" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to maintaining physical fitness or staying in good condition, often in the context of sports or exercise. Example: "To perform well in the upcoming marathon, it's essential to keep in form by training regularly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Until the CD-ROM went on sale, powered by Maven, I used to keep in form between matches by playing Scrabble solitaire at the kitchen table.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Coventry City manager Tony Mowbray says a deal to keep in-form striker Adam Armstrong on loan until the end of the season still needs "rubber stamping".

BBC

Celtic can afford a package to keep in-form John Guidetti with the Scottish champions, according to manager Ronny Deila, but only if the on-loan Manchester City striker is realistic about his wage demands.

BBC

Another point of contention was that Fender, against the wishes of the committee, preferred to keep in-form professional players in the team instead of playing amateurs when they were available.

Wikipedia

Benitez has always talked of the big clubs losing more matches this season, which would allow Liverpool to keep in contact despite their nightmare form.

Independent

To keep in playing form, he stays in touch with Barrieu, who suggests exercises to increase his stamina.

The New York Times - Sports

There is a vast swath of EU-inspired secondary legislation in place, much of which we might want to keep in some form or another.

The Guardian - Opinion

"They have four weeks to stay fit, keep in form and keep charging forward - because the train doesn't stop now". The Women's World Cup runs from 7 June to 7 July and every game will be available to watch on BBC television and the BBC Sport website and app.

BBC

Howard added, "Hopefully he doesn't play against Everton, but the rest of the season will be good for him to keep in that good form".

The New York Times - Sports

Bairstow, Yorkshire's first-choice wicketkeeper, has played 12 Test matches but is yet to keep in the longest form of the game.

BBC

Location data comes in many forms, but the most important thing to keep in mind is that each form has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to keep in form", consider the context. It's best suited for situations where maintaining a specific skill or physical condition is essential for a particular activity or purpose, especially in sports or specialized training.

Common error

Avoid using "to keep in form" in general discussions about health or fitness. Alternatives like "staying fit" or "maintaining a healthy lifestyle" are more appropriate for broader contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to keep in form" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It indicates the reason for performing an action, such as training regularly, as seen in the Ludwig example. It clarifies the intention behind maintaining a certain condition.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Wiki

22%

Less common in

Science

13%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to keep in form" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe maintaining physical fitness or readiness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While its usage is relatively rare, it is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts, and can be considered of neutral register. For broader discussions about health, alternatives like "staying fit" might be more suitable. Remember, the phrase is most effective when emphasizing the purpose behind maintaining a specific condition, especially in sports or training contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be in top form

Describes being in the best possible condition, emphasizing peak performance capability.

to stay in shape

Focuses more on physical appearance and general fitness, while the original phrase can imply maintaining a skill or readiness for something.

to maintain fitness

Emphasizes the act of maintaining a level of fitness, suitable when discussing long-term health goals.

to remain in condition

Highlights the state of being physically fit, suitable when assessing someone's physical status.

to keep physically fit

Explicitly states the act of keeping oneself in a state of physical fitness.

to preserve one's physique

More formal and emphasizes the preservation of physical appearance and structure.

to ensure readiness

Highlights the act of ensuring a state of preparedness or availability for a specific task.

to uphold standards

Shifts focus to maintaining certain standards or requirements, not necessarily physical.

to stay compliant

Emphasizes adherence to rules or regulations, often used in a professional context.

to keep up appearances

Focuses on maintaining an outward show of something, which could be different from the reality.

FAQs

What does it mean "to keep in form"?

The phrase "to keep in form" generally means to maintain a good physical condition or to stay fit, often with the purpose of being prepared for a specific activity or sport.

What can I say instead of "to keep in form"?

You can use alternatives like "to stay in shape", "to maintain fitness", or "to be in top form" depending on the specific context.

Is "to keep in form" formal or informal?

The phrase "to keep in form" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both professional and informal contexts, although more common in sports-related discussions.

How do you use "to keep in form" in a sentence?

Example: "Athletes train regularly to keep in form for competitions", which means that athletes maintain their physical condition through training to stay prepared for competition.