Definition

Verb: - To move, progress, or increase at the same speed or rate as someone or something else; to maintain the same pace. - To stay level with or not fall behind a competitor, standard, or rate of change.

Usage

The verb phrase "keep pace" is used to describe matching the speed, progress, or rate of another. It is intransitive and must be followed by the preposition "with" to specify what is being matched. - Subject + keep pace + with + [noun/noun phrase]

Examples

• Verb:
  • The younger runner struggled to keep pace with the leader.
  • Wages have not kept pace with inflation this year.
  • It's hard for small businesses to keep pace with rapid technological changes.

Advanced Usage

• "keep pace with the times": To stay modern and adapt to current trends or developments.
  • The company updates its software regularly to keep pace with the times.
• "barely keep pace": To almost fail to match the required speed or rate.
  • Production is barely keeping pace with demand.

Variants and Related Words

• Keep up (with) (phrasal verb): A very close synonym, meaning to move at the same rate or to stay informed/current.
  • She reads industry news daily to keep up with new developments.
• Match (verb): To be equal to something in quality or speed.
• Maintain the pace (verb phrase): A more formal way to express the same idea.

Synonyms

• Keep up (with)
• Match
• Stay abreast of
• Stay even with

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Keep up with: To continue to be level with or informed about someone or something. This is the most direct synonym.
  • He walks so fast I can't keep up with him.
• Fall behind: The opposite action; to fail to keep pace.
  • If you don't study, you will fall behind the class.

Related Idioms

• Hold one's own: To be as good, strong, or successful as others in a competitive situation.
  • Despite being the youngest player, she held her own in the tournament. (This implies she kept pace with the competition.)
• Run neck and neck: To be level with a competitor in a race or contest.
  • The two companies are running neck and neck in the market.

Verb

1. maintain the same pace
   • The child cannot keep step with his big brother