to keep things in perspective

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to keep things in perspective" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when advising someone to maintain a balanced view of a situation, especially during stressful or challenging times. Example: "When facing setbacks, it's important to keep things in perspective and remember that challenges are a part of growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wallace tried to keep things in perspective.

The New Yorker

"It's important to keep things in perspective.

The New York Times

You have to keep things in perspective".

The New York Times

One has to keep things in perspective, too.

The New Yorker

But it is important to keep things in perspective.

The Economist

"I think you have to keep things in perspective.

The New York Times

"But you need to keep things in perspective.

The Guardian

"It's important to keep things in perspective," Mr. Nicoli said.

The New York Times

But we need to keep things in perspective.

The Guardian

"You still have to keep things in perspective.

The New York Times - Sports

Colts Coach Tony Dungy tried to keep things in perspective.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to keep things in perspective" when you want to encourage a balanced assessment of a situation, especially during times of stress or uncertainty. It helps to remind yourself and others that there's a bigger picture.

Common error

Avoid using "to keep things in perspective" when the situation requires immediate action or intense focus on details. Overusing the phrase can minimize genuine concerns or urgent matters.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to keep things in perspective" primarily functions as an infinitive phrase, often used to express advice or a recommended course of action. It indicates the act of maintaining a balanced and realistic viewpoint, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to keep things in perspective" is a very common phrase used to advocate for maintaining a balanced and realistic viewpoint, especially during challenging times. Ludwig's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability across various contexts, primarily in news and media. The phrase encourages rational thinking and stress reduction, but it's important to use it judiciously to avoid minimizing genuine concerns. Alternatives such as "to maintain a balanced view" or "to see the bigger picture" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to maintain a balanced view

Focuses on equilibrium in judgment rather than specifically 'perspective'.

to maintain a sense of proportion

Highlights the importance of balance and appropriate assessment.

to see the bigger picture

Emphasizes understanding the broader context instead of just maintaining perspective.

to see things in proportion

Highlights balance but it's more used for visual concepts and analogies.

to not lose sight of the forest for the trees

A more figurative way of saying to not focus on details and miss the major aspects.

to consider the overall context

Focuses on understanding circumstances rather than emotional balance.

to have a realistic outlook

Highlights realism rather than specifically 'perspective'.

to consider the grand scheme of things

Emphasis on a very wide angle lens

to take a step back

Focuses on creating distance from a situation, useful to consider things calmly.

to avoid overreacting

Focuses on maintaining calm and avoiding exaggerated responses.

FAQs

How can I use "to keep things in perspective" in a sentence?

You can use "to keep things in perspective" to suggest maintaining a balanced view, such as: "It's important "to keep things in perspective" and remember what truly matters."

What is a good alternative for "to keep things in perspective"?

Alternatives include "to maintain a balanced view", "to see the bigger picture", or "to maintain a sense of proportion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "to keep things in perspective" and "to put things in perspective"?

"To keep things in perspective" means to maintain a balanced view, whereas "to put things in perspective" implies providing context to help someone else understand the situation better.

When is it inappropriate to use "to keep things in perspective"?

It's best to avoid using "to keep things in perspective" when someone is sharing a serious concern or needs support, as it might minimize their feelings or the importance of the situation.