keep close

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep close" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to mean "remain nearby," "stay close," or "stay in touch." For example: "Keep close and I'll call you when I get home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Keep close," Ms. Fox said.

The New York Times - Travel

Keep close watch on retail energy market.

The Guardian

I keep close watch on myself.

The New York Times - Health

Fools and thrill-seekers keep close company.

The Guardian - Arts

"I keep close relationships with the people in those photographs".

The New York Times

Keep close tabs throughout the day for updates and analysis.

The New York Times

Parents chat distractedly, gesturing to children to keep close.

Independent

To keep close we've decided to read a book together.

The Guardian - Books

In her songs, common sense and sensuality keep close company.

The New York Times - Arts

Computers also keep close tabs on workers' hours and productivity.

The New York Times - Arts

But they keep close tabs on each other's juice bars.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "keep close" in a physical sense, ensure the context clarifies whether you mean immediate proximity or within a defined area. For example, "Keep close to the group" vs. "Keep close, I don't want you to get lost."

Common error

Avoid using "keep close" when you actually mean "be emotionally open". While physical closeness can sometimes imply emotional closeness, the phrase itself doesn't guarantee or directly communicate emotional intimacy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep close" primarily functions as an imperative, instructing someone to maintain proximity. Ludwig provides numerous examples where it's used to direct physical closeness or to advise continued vigilance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

20%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Science

16%

Formal & Business

13%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep close" is a versatile imperative, predominantly used to instruct someone to maintain physical proximity or vigilance. As confirmed by Ludwig, its grammatical status is correct, and its usage is very common across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Academia, Wiki, and Science. While instructing physical nearness it may also mean emotional closeness, though this is not guaranteed. When you use "keep close", consider if you imply just physical nearness or more. To enhance clarity, ensure the context specifies the type of closeness intended. For alternatives, you may consider stay nearby for physical proximity or remain vigilant for attentiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay nearby

Focuses on physical proximity without necessarily implying vigilance or emotional connection.

stick together

Emphasizes unity and mutual support more than simple nearness.

remain vigilant

Emphasizes attentiveness and watchfulness, shifting away from physical closeness.

follow closely

This can relate to keeping up to date with news or following someone physically, but not necessarily close.

stay in touch

Highlights maintaining communication, diverging from physical proximity.

monitor closely

Highlights observation and oversight, typically in a formal setting.

maintain contact

Similar to 'stay in touch' but can imply less frequent communication.

watch carefully

Focuses on observation, removing the element of physical proximity.

be attentive to

Shifts focus to heeding or considering something with care.

cultivate relationships

Addresses maintaining emotional or professional bonds, quite different from physical closeness.

FAQs

How can I use "keep close" in a sentence?

You can use "keep close" to instruct someone to stay physically near, as in "Keep close, the path is slippery". Alternatively, it can mean to maintain a connection, like "Keep close ties with your family".

What's a good alternative to "keep close"?

Alternatives include "stay nearby" for physical proximity, "remain vigilant" for attentiveness, or "stay in touch" for maintaining contact.

Is it correct to say "kept close"?

Yes, "kept close" is the past tense form of "keep close". For example, "She "kept close" to her mother during the event".

What does it mean to "keep something close to your chest"?

To "keep something close to the chest" means to keep information private or secret. It's an idiomatic expression, not a literal instruction to "keep close" physically.