How to use "in keeping with"

What Does "in keeping with" Mean?

• The expression "in keeping with" means to be in agreement or harmony with something; consistent with, or appropriate to. It suggests conformity to a standard, tradition, style, or principle.
• The meaning is semi-idiomatic. While "keeping" relates to maintaining or preserving, the collocation as a whole has a specific meaning beyond the sum of its parts.
• The register is neutral to formal. It's suitable for academic writing, professional communication, and formal conversations, but less common in very casual speech.

How to Use It

• Grammatical pattern: preposition + gerund + preposition. The structure is "in keeping with + noun/noun phrase."
• Typical objects that follow "in keeping with" are nouns or noun phrases representing customs, traditions, rules, standards, styles, or principles.
• The components of "in keeping with" cannot be separated.
• What sounds unnatural: Using a different preposition (e.g., "in keep with"), using a verb other than "keeping", or attempting to separate the phrase with other words.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from in keeping with on Ludwig.guru.

"It is in keeping with his work"." — The New York Times - Arts

"In keeping with national custom — remember Vietnam?" — The New Yorker

"It's right in keeping with ruined beauty." — The New York Times - Arts

"It's in keeping with the city's character"." — The New York Times

"That decision was entirely in keeping with our core commitments." — Yale University

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/in+keeping+with

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
in accordance with	More formal, often used in legal or official contexts.
in line with	Similar meaning, slightly less formal.
consistent with	More direct and concise, often used in academic writing.
in agreement with	Emphasizes concurrence or harmony.
compatible with	Focuses on the ability to coexist or function together.
conforming to	Highlights adherence to rules or standards.
pursuant to	Highly formal, often used in legal documents, meaning "according to".

Common Mistakes

• Learners often confuse it with similar expressions like "in line with", using them interchangeably when the context requires a slightly different nuance.
• A common mistake is using the wrong preposition, for instance, saying "in keep with" instead of "in keeping with".
• Trying to separate the phrase, such as by inserting an adverb between "in" and "keeping," sounds unnatural. For example, saying "in closely keeping with" is incorrect.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
in keeping with	In agreement or harmony with; consistent with	preposition + gerund + preposition + noun/noun phrase	Neutral to Formal

FAQs

Can the parts of "in keeping with" be separated?

No, the parts of "in keeping with" cannot be separated. It functions as a fixed prepositional phrase, and inserting words within it disrupts its meaning and grammatical correctness. The phrase must remain intact for it to be used properly.

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What is the difference between "in keeping with" and "in line with"?

While both phrases indicate agreement or consistency, "in keeping with" often implies adherence to a tradition, custom, or established standard. "In line with" suggests alignment with a plan, policy, or objective. The nuance lies in whether the agreement is with something established or something directional.

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Is "in keep with" correct? What's the right way to say it?

No, "in keep with" is incorrect. The correct phrase is "in keeping with". The word "keeping" is a gerund (a verb acting as a noun) and is essential for the phrase's grammatical structure and intended meaning.