to keep up with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to keep up with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to someone keeping pace with something or someone else. For example, "I have been working hard to keep up with my classmates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's hard to keep up with McDonald.

The New Yorker

It's hard to keep up with Bottura.

The New Yorker

I like to keep up with everything.

The New York Times - Magazine

There is much to keep up with.

The New York Times

We struggle to keep up with demand.

The Guardian - Opinion

"It's forcing us to grow, to keep up with demand".

The New York Times

Failing to keep up with rising values can prove risky.

The New York Times

Fans are struggling to keep up with the changes sartorially.

The New York Times - Sports

Others emptied their coffers trying to keep up with repayments.

The Economist

Also, you had to keep up with public opinion.

The Economist

Wages have failed to keep up with productivity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to keep up with", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being kept up with, whether it's a trend, a person, or a pace. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the sentence's meaning.

Common error

Avoid using "to keep up with" when a simpler verb like 'follow' or 'monitor' is more appropriate. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound convoluted. Opt for concise language whenever possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "to keep up with" primarily functions as a verb phrase expressing the action of maintaining pace, staying informed, or adhering to a standard. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts like "trying to keep up with", indicating effort or difficulty in maintaining that pace.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "to keep up with" is a versatile and frequently used expression for describing the act of maintaining pace or staying informed. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and adaptable to various contexts, though ensuring clarity in what is being kept up with is crucial. While "to keep up with" is generally neutral, more formal alternatives like "to stay abreast of" may be preferable in certain settings. By understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, writers can effectively use "to keep up with" to enhance their communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to keep pace with

Emphasizes matching the speed or rate of progress.

to stay current with

Focuses on maintaining up-to-dateness.

to stay abreast of

Focuses on staying informed and up-to-date with current information.

to not fall behind

Highlights the avoidance of lagging or being outdated.

to remain informed about

Highlights the act of staying knowledgeable about a topic.

to follow closely

Suggests monitoring something carefully to stay updated.

to maintain awareness of

Stresses the need to consistently know about something.

to hold one's own with

Emphasizes competing at the same level of one another.

to stay in touch with

Maintaining the contact with a subject or person.

to track

Implies monitoring or following developments closely.

FAQs

How can I use "to keep up with" in a sentence?

You can use "to keep up with" to indicate that you are trying to stay informed or maintain pace with something, as in, "It's hard "to keep up with" all the new technology".

What is the difference between "to keep up with" and "to catch up with"?

"To keep up with" implies maintaining a current pace, while "to catch up with" suggests regaining a lost pace or knowledge.

Which is more formal, "to keep up with" or "to stay abreast of"?

"To stay abreast of" is generally more formal than "to keep up with", suitable for professional or academic contexts.

What are some alternatives to "to keep up with" that I can use in my writing?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "to stay current with", "to keep pace with", or "to remain informed about".