to keep something intact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to keep something intact" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to maintaining the original state or condition of something without damage or alteration. Example: "The goal of the restoration project is to keep the historical building intact for future generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Walking through the completed New Haven Playwright, it is surprising that the urge to keep something intact inspired its creation.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The overall level of social subsidies during the postcommunist era declined, although the government attempted to keep something of the social safety net intact.

Encyclopedia Britannica

You have to keep something for yourself.

Independent

Cooking fried eggs (next section) means that you want to keep the yolk intact, something most easily done after some practice.

WikiHow

Apparently the fact that Bratton has continued a tradition of toying with the CCRB's disciplinary recommendations is something Emery wants to keep intact.

Huffington Post

Rutte: Our aim should be to keep eurozone intact.

The Guardian - Business

Studying its haunting beauty, he vowed to keep it intact.

The New York Times

Ottomanism was their formula to keep it intact.

The New York Times

It's important to keep them intact.

Huffington Post

Council Member JoAnn Watson was most vocal about wanting to keep DDHS intact.

Huffington Post

Those who want to keep Obamacare intact know how important he is.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "to keep something intact", ensure that the context clearly defines what 'something' refers to. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "to keep something intact" in overly passive constructions. Instead of saying 'The vase was aimed to be kept intact', a more direct approach is 'They aimed to keep the vase intact', which adds force and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to keep something intact" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intention. It often modifies a verb, explaining the goal or reason behind an action. Ludwig confirms its proper usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

32%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to keep something intact" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the intention to preserve something in its original condition. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples confirms its versatility and widespread usage across various contexts, predominantly in news and media and Wiki. It serves as a purpose connector, highlighting the aim to maintain wholeness or authenticity. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to clearly define the 'something' to avoid ambiguity and maintain clarity. Overall, it's a reliable phrase that conveys a clear and understandable message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to preserve something unharmed

Focuses more on preventing harm or damage, adding a layer of protection.

to maintain something undamaged

Emphasizes the continuous effort to keep something in its original condition.

to retain something whole

Highlights the completeness and entirety of the item being preserved.

to conserve something untouched

Suggests a more careful and deliberate effort to avoid any alteration.

to safeguard something complete

Implies protecting something to ensure all its parts remain together.

to uphold something inviolate

Adds a sense of sanctity or importance to the act of preservation.

to secure something unblemished

Highlights the purity and flawlessness of the item that's being kept safe.

to shield something unaltered

Emphasizes protection from changes or modifications.

to protect something original

Specifically refers to preserving the initial or authentic form.

to defend something unmarred

Implies actively fighting off factors that could cause disfigurement.

FAQs

How can I use "to keep something intact" in a sentence?

You can use "to keep something intact" to describe efforts to preserve the original state of an object or idea. For example, "The museum's mission is to "to keep artifacts intact" for future generations".

What are some alternatives to "to keep something intact"?

Alternatives include "to preserve something", "to maintain something", or "to retain something", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "keep intact" or "maintain intact"?

While both "keep intact" and "maintain intact" are acceptable, "keep intact" generally implies preventing damage or change, while "maintain intact" suggests a continuous effort to preserve its original state. The choice depends on the context.

What does it mean "to keep integrity intact"?

"To keep integrity intact" means to maintain moral principles and honesty without corruption or compromise. It's about preserving one's ethical standards and values.