upkeep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "upkeep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the maintenance or care required to keep something in good condition. Example: "The upkeep of the garden requires regular watering and weeding to ensure the plants thrive."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We are also not paid, the community chips in with some upkeep money but we are volunteering for the most part".

The Guardian

And also whether we can work with like minded European partners… …to limit the amount we pay in child benefit towards the upkeep of children living abroad.

The Guardian

That cladding was ditched during construction due to issues over its upkeep, however, which had lead, in part, to the contention.

The Guardian - Arts

While farming is also very strenuous the lifestyle is much better.' Gao returned home in 2006 with no intention of returning to farm but discovered that her parents, now much older, were struggling with the upkeep.

The Guardian

The working day is long, breaks short and the rewards small, for although the women earn a wage, most is paid over to the colony for their upkeep.

The Guardian

A few Jews have already begun praying beside the al-Aqsa mosque, pretending they are talking into their mobile telephones.Israel pays for the upkeep of most mosques and pays their imams' salaries through the interior ministry, which looks after sites holy to religions other than Judaism.

The Economist

The consortium that now runs the highway paid $3.8 billion for the privilege (just before the recession caused asset prices to plummet), as well as promising to invest $600m in upkeep over the first nine years of the lease.

The Economist

The increase is needed to pay for the upkeep of the rest of the French rail network which is creaking and crumbling, notably in the Paris region.

The Economist

But it eliminates all the tentacular plumbing of steam catapults and should cut crewing and upkeep expenses by about $250m over its expected 50-year life, the retired commander estimates.

The Economist

Many feel duty-bound to donate money for its upkeep.

The Economist

Another of Mr Obama's implicit premises, the really important one, is that the rich currently pay too small a share of the cost of the relevant public goods that the rich are enjoying the benefits of the enabling background system without contributing adequately to its upkeep.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "upkeep" to emphasize the continuous effort required to maintain a certain standard or condition. For example, "The historical building requires constant "upkeep" to preserve its architectural integrity."

Common error

Don't use "upkeep" when you actually mean upgrade. "Upkeep" refers to maintaining the existing condition, while an upgrade involves improving or enhancing something beyond its original state. Avoid saying, "We need to upkeep the software" when you actually mean to upgrade it to a newer version.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "upkeep" is as a noun, denoting the act or process of maintaining something. It is commonly used to refer to the cost or effort associated with keeping something in good condition, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "upkeep" functions primarily as a noun referring to the maintenance or effort required to keep something in good condition. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Its usage is particularly frequent in news and media. When writing, be mindful to use "upkeep" to indicate maintaining an existing state, and differentiate it from “upgrade”, which indicates making improvements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintenance

Focuses on the activities involved in preserving something's condition.

good repair

Indicates the state of being well-maintained and functional.

preservation

Emphasizes keeping something in its original state, often from decay or damage.

conservation

Implies careful management and protection of resources or assets.

care

A broader term indicating attention and effort given to something's well-being.

continued support

Focuses on the ongoing assistance or resources provided to maintain something.

sustenance

Highlights providing necessary resources for continued existence or operation.

annual maintenance

Refers to the yearly process of maintaining something.

renovation

Describes restoring something to a better condition, often through repair or remodeling.

servicing

Specifically refers to performing routine checks and repairs to ensure proper functioning.

FAQs

How can I use "upkeep" in a sentence?

You can use "upkeep" to refer to the maintenance or effort required to keep something in good condition. For example, "The garden requires a lot of "upkeep"" or "The monthly "upkeep" of the website is quite expensive".

What are some alternatives to the word "upkeep"?

Alternatives to "upkeep" include "maintenance", "care", "preservation", and "conservation". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "upkeep" and "maintenance"?

While "upkeep" and "maintenance" are often used interchangeably, "upkeep" generally refers to the continuous effort to keep something in a good state, while "maintenance" can also refer to specific tasks or repairs.

Is "upkeep" a formal or informal word?

"Upkeep" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news articles, business reports, and everyday conversations.