keep alive

IPA/kˈiːp ɐlˈaɪv/
IPA/kˈiːp ɐlˈaɪv/

keep alive — phrasal verb

  • keep alivebase form
  • keeps alive3rd person singular
  • keeping alive-ing form
  • kept alivepast simple

1. to do things that help a tradition, memory, feeling, language, or relationship c

1.片語動詞B2
釋義

to do things that help a tradition, memory, feeling, language, or relationship continue to exist instead of fading or disappearing over time

例句

The village festival is kept alive by families who have lived there for generations.

passive: is kept alive by [agent]

Eleni sends her grandmother voice messages weekly to keep their connection alive across the ocean.

keep [connection/relationship] alive

同義詞
  • sustain

    more formal, used for support that continues over time (e.g. 'sustain a tradition')

  • maintain

    broader; can apply to physical things too (e.g. 'maintain a building')

  • preserve

    focuses on preventing decay or loss, especially of cultural heritage

  • uphold

    often used with principles, values, or standards rather than traditions

反義詞
  • let die

    opposite in informal register

  • abandon

    implies giving up entirely

  • neglect

    failing to care for, leading to disappearance

文法句型

keep [abstract noun] alive

keep [noun] alive with/by [noun/-ing]

用法筆記

Object of this collocation is nearly always an abstract noun (e.g. tradition, memory, hope, language, spirit, relationship, conversation). The passive form 'be kept alive' is very common.

常見錯誤

❌We need to keep alive the fire.
✅We need to keep the campfire burning.
💡'keep alive' is not used for literal fire; use 'keep burning' or 'keep going' for physical flames.
❌She kept alive the plant.
✅She kept the plant alive.
💡For literal living things (plants, people), 'keep alive' is correct but the grammar is different: 'keep + person/thing + alive' as an adjective, not the collocation pattern reviewed here.