it was kept

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was kept" is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something continued to be in the same state as it had been previously. For example: "After the storm, it was kept dry in the cellar."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was kept in the DDQ-B because its removal would not improve the Cronbach's alpha.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

It was kept out for years by rulers fearful of its effects.

Los Angeles Times

It was kept secret".

The New York Times - Sports

"It was kept as medicine".

The New York Times

"It was kept from me..."...

The Guardian - Books

"It was kept totally secret".

The New York Times - Travel

It was kept this way for cause.

The Guardian - Opinion

Or, if it was kept, it was not necessarily honored.

The New Yorker

It was kept spick and span by Mrs Jonquière.

The Economist

The disease, whatever it was, kept getting worse.

The New York Times - Health

But it was kept for Callaghan's memoirs in 1987.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was kept", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to. Clarity is crucial for avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "it was kept" when the subject of "it" is not immediately obvious from the preceding sentences. Reword the sentence to explicitly state the subject.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was kept" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something (represented by "it") was maintained, preserved, or retained in a particular state or condition by an unspecified actor. Ludwig provides numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was kept" is a versatile passive construction used to indicate that something was maintained or preserved in a specific condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, including scientific publications, news reports, and general discussions. While using "it was kept", ensure that the referent of "it" is clear to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "it remained" or "it was maintained" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was preserved

Highlights the act of protecting something from decay or damage.

it was maintained

Emphasizes the effort involved in preserving the state of something.

it was retained

Focuses on the act of holding onto something, not letting it go.

it was safeguarded

Emphasizes the protection from potential harm.

it was conserved

Emphasizes careful management to prevent depletion.

it was sustained

Focuses on the continuation of something over time.

it remained

Focuses on the state of staying in a particular condition or place, rather than the act of keeping it that way.

it was concealed

Highlights the act of hiding something from view.

it was stockpiled

Implies accumulation for future use.

it was stockpiled

Implies accumulation for future use.

FAQs

How can I use "it was kept" in a sentence?

You can use "it was kept" to describe something that was maintained or preserved in a specific condition. For example, "The original manuscript "it was kept" safe in the archive."

What is a good alternative to "it was kept"?

Alternatives include phrases like "it remained", "it was maintained", or "it was preserved", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "it was kept" or "it remained"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "It was kept" suggests an active effort to maintain something, while "it remained" simply indicates that something stayed in a particular state without intervention.

What does "it was kept under wraps" mean?

The idiom "it was kept under wraps" means that something was kept secret or confidential. It's a more figurative way of saying "it was concealed".