What Does โKeep in with sbโ Mean?
โKeep in with sbโ means to maintain a good relationship with someone, especially someone important or influential, to stay on their good side.
Introduction
The phrase โkeep in with sbโ is a common English phrasal verb used to describe maintaining friendly or favorable relations with someone, often for personal or professional benefit. When you keep in with someone, you make sure that person thinks well of you by staying polite, helpful, or cooperative. This phrase is especially useful in social and work settings where relationships matter. Understanding the keep in with sb meaning can help you use it naturally in conversations and improve your English fluency.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: keep in with somebody
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Short meaning: maintain a good relationship with someone
Structure (Grammar Rules)
โKeep in with sbโ is an inseparable phrasal verb, which means the object (sb = somebody) always comes after the full phrase. You cannot separate โkeep inโ from โwithโ in this expression.
Correct pattern:
- Keep in with + somebody
- Example: She tries to keep in with her boss.
Incorrect pattern:
- Keep + somebody + in with (wrong)
- Example: She tries to keep her boss in with. (incorrect)
How to Use โKeep in with sbโ?
Use โkeep in with sbโ when you want to express that someone is maintaining a good relationship with another person, often to gain favor or avoid conflict. This phrase is often used in workplace situations, social circles, or any environment where relationships affect outcomes.
It usually involves effort, such as being polite, helpful, or cooperative.
Examples
Here are some natural examples to help you understand how to use โkeep in with sb in a sentenceโ:
- John always keeps in with the management to ensure he gets good projects.
- Itโs smart to keep in with your neighbors if you want a peaceful community.
- She keeps in with her former teachers even after graduating.
- To succeed in this company, you need to keep in with the senior staff.
- He tries to keep in with his in-laws by helping out during family events.
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse the word order or use the phrase incorrectly. Here are some common mistakes:
- Incorrect: I want to keep my boss in with.
- Correct: I want to keep in with my boss.
- Incorrect: She keeps with her friends in.
- Correct: She keeps in with her friends.
Remember, โkeep in withโ must stay together, followed directly by the person.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include โstay on good terms with sb,โ โbe on good terms with sb,โ or โkeep on sbโs good side.โ However, โkeep in with sbโ often implies a deliberate effort to maintain favor, sometimes for personal gain.
For example, โstay on good termsโ is more neutral and can be casual, but โkeep in withโ suggests an active and ongoing effort.
Common Collocations
People often use โkeep in withโ with these common objects:
- Keep in with the boss: maintain favor at work
- Keep in with management: stay on good terms with company leaders
- Keep in with neighbors: maintain friendly relations with neighbors
- Keep in with colleagues: stay friendly with coworkers
- Keep in with parents/in-laws: have a good relationship with family members
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of keep in with sb:
Real-life Dialogue
Hereโs a short conversation using โkeep in with sbโ:
Emma: I noticed you always chat with the manager. Are you trying to keep in with him?
Tom: Yes, it helps me stay updated and get better opportunities.
Emma: Smart move! I should try that too.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct phrase:
- She tries to ________ with her new coworkers to fit in better.
- Itโs important to ________ with your teachers if you want good references.
- He keeps in ________ with the senior team to get promoted.
Answers:
- keep in with
- keep in with
- with
FAQs
- What does โkeep in with sbโ mean? It means to maintain a good relationship with someone, usually to gain favor or avoid problems.
- Is โkeep in with sbโ formal or informal? It is more common in informal and conversational English but can be used in professional contexts.
- Can I say โkeep in with my bossโ? Yes, this is a correct and common usage.
- Is โkeep in with sbโ separable? No, this phrasal verb is inseparable; the object must come after the whole phrase.
- What is a synonym for โkeep in with sbโ? Some synonyms are โstay on good terms withโ or โkeep on someoneโs good side.โ
