do not keep

USAGE SUMMARY

"do not keep" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where you are advising against retaining something. Example: "Please do not keep any unnecessary items." Alternative expressions include "do not hold," "do not retain," and "do not store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

MUSLIM farmers do not keep pigs.

The Economist

Do not keep it a secret.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I do not keep well too.

The New York Times

They do not keep time records.

The New York Times

They do not keep their word".

The New York Times

No, we do not keep your materials on file.

Columbia University

Do not keep any personally identifiable information on your laptop.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Do not keep the username and password with the computer.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Some counties, for instance, do not keep digital records.

The New York Times

The police do not keep separate records of these acts.

The Economist

Do not keep suffering in silence.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal documentation, consider if a more precise verb like "retain" or "maintain" might better describe the specific action being prohibited.

Common error

Avoid using "do not keep" as a standalone command if you actually mean that a subject lacks the ability to keep something. In those cases, ensure the subject is clearly defined, such as "they do not keep" rather than the imperative "do not keep".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not keep" functions primarily as a negative imperative or a negative present tense indicative. According to Ludwig, it combines the auxiliary verb "do" with the negator "not" and the base form of the verb "keep". It is used to express prohibition, advise against a certain behavior, or describe a habitual lack of retention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

55%

News & Media

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "do not keep" is a highly versatile and correct English phrase used across all levels of formality. Ludwig AI shows that it is particularly prevalent in instructional writing and journalism. Whether you are advising someone to "do not keep secrets" or stating that certain vegetables "do not keep well", the phrase remains a standard tool for expressing non-retention or prohibition. It is grammatically robust and, while simple, serves essential functions in clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do not retain

Provides a more formal and professional tone, often used in legal or data privacy contexts.

never keep

Adds emphasis and suggests a universal, uncompromising rule.

do not maintain

Implies a lack of ongoing upkeep or administrative record-keeping.

avoid keeping

Softens the directive from a command to a suggestion or best practice.

refrain from storing

Specific to physical or digital items and carries a more cautious, formal weight.

discontinue keeping

Extremely formal, indicating a planned end to a specific practice.

do not hold

Often used in financial or physical possession contexts rather than general habits.

stop keeping

Suggests the cessation of an existing habit rather than a general rule.

do not save

Commonly used in digital environments or when referring to resources like money or time.

do not preserve

Focused on the longevity or the state of the object, often in historical or biological contexts.

FAQs

How to use "do not keep" in a sentence?

You can use it as an imperative command like ""do not keep" secrets", or as a statement of fact like "The records "do not keep" track of individual names".

What is the difference between "do not keep" and "do not retain"?

While both are similar, "do not retain" is more formal and is frequently used in professional, legal, or technical documentation regarding data and records.

Which is more polite, "do not keep" or "avoid keeping"?

avoid keeping is generally seen as more polite or suggestive, whereas "do not keep" is a direct and forceful prohibition.

Can I use "don't keep" instead of "do not keep"?

Yes, "don't keep" is the contracted, more casual version. It is suitable for everyday conversation and informal writing, while "do not keep" is better for formal contexts.