choose to keep

USAGE SUMMARY

"choose to keep" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone making a decision to retain an object or idea. For example, "I chose to keep the old furniture rather than replacing it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We no longer choose to keep lawns; we just keep on keeping them.

The New Yorker

Why did you choose to keep the birther issue alive?

The New York Times

If you choose to keep using, you can do that.

Harvard University

So we choose to keep it empty -- and very clean".

The New York Times

They already choose to keep him, and I think they made a good choice".

Independent

But with regional tensions flaring, it may choose to keep some of those arms for itself.

The Economist

The life of the young Korean women who choose to keep their children is almost unbearable.

The New York Times

Members of the media and fans often choose to keep score of the game also.

Encyclopedia Britannica

I realised I could choose to keep these things in my head, or not".

Independent

But many gentiles choose to keep their piece of Judaica in place.

The New York Times

So important can the difference be that some drivers choose to keep their preferences secret.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "choose to keep", ensure the context clearly indicates both the selection process and the act of retaining something. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "choose to keep" in very simple situations where a more direct verb like "keep" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "choose to keep" functions as a verb phrase, where 'choose' acts as the main verb indicating a decision, and 'to keep' serves as an infinitive phrase specifying the action being decided upon. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples demonstrating its active use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "choose to keep" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey a deliberate decision to retain something. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news, academic writing, and general discourse. While alternatives like "opt to retain" or "decide to preserve" exist, "choose to keep" effectively emphasizes the element of choice. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates the decision-making process and the act of retaining for optimal clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opt to retain

Emphasizes a deliberate choice, often in a formal setting.

decide to preserve

Highlights the intention to maintain something in its current state.

elect to maintain

Similar to 'choose to keep' but carries a slightly more formal tone.

prefer to hold onto

Indicates a personal preference for keeping something.

wish to conserve

Implies an effort to save something for future use.

desire to safeguard

Emphasizes protecting something from harm.

determine to uphold

Focuses on maintaining a standard or principle.

resolve to conserve

Implies a firm decision to protect and preserve something.

purpose to perpetuate

Highlights a deliberate effort to cause something to continue.

intend to sustain

Focuses on providing what is needed for something to exist over a period of time.

FAQs

How can I use "choose to keep" in a sentence?

Use "choose to keep" when you want to emphasize the decision-making process behind retaining something. For example, "I "choose to keep" this old photograph because it reminds me of my childhood".

What are some alternatives to "choose to keep"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "opt to retain", "decide to preserve", or simply "keep".

Is it redundant to say "choose to keep"?

While "keep" alone can sometimes suffice, "choose to keep" emphasizes the act of making a conscious decision to retain something, which can be useful in specific contexts.

When should I use "choose to keep" instead of just "keep"?

Use "choose to keep" when you want to highlight the element of choice or decision-making in the act of retaining something, rather than simply stating that something is being kept.