keep it classified

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep it classified" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to maintain confidentiality about certain information or details. Example: "This document contains sensitive information, so please keep it classified until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A3 China Deal to Be Made Public The Clinton administration plans to release the text of an agreement it negotiated on the terms of China's entry to the World Trade Organization, reversing a decision to keep it classified until China completed its talks with other countries.

The New York Times

There's no claim of national security we've offered to keep it classified.

The New Yorker

There's no claim of national security — we've offered to keep it classified.

The New Yorker

[Page A1.] China Accord Text to Be Released Bowing to pressure from Congress, the Clinton administration plans to release the full text of an agreement it negotiated with China on its entry to the World Trade Organization, reversing a decision to keep it classified until China completed it talks with other countries.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The utility industry argues that the government has extensive information on threats but keeps it classified.

The New York Times

I could have kept it classified and just said 'goodbye.' That's not who I am and not what I do".

The Guardian

The company has worked to keep it from being classified as a carcinogen even though David Koch is a prostate cancer survivor.

Huffington Post

It was sufficient, he said, for a judge simply to decide that a subject was classified in order to keep it secret.

The New York Times

3. Keep it brief.

BMC Public Health

2. Keep it simple.

BMC Biology

Those hopes have to be dampened now that a key arm of the American security apparatus has been permitted to keep its own story classified forever.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep it classified", be specific about what information needs to remain confidential and for how long. Provide clear guidelines to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice with "keep it classified". Instead of saying "it should be kept classified", use a more direct and active construction, such as "you must keep it classified".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep it classified" functions as an imperative, instructing someone to maintain the confidentiality of specific information. Ludwig examples indicate that this phrase is often used in contexts where information needs to be protected due to security concerns or organizational policies.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep it classified" is a directive to maintain the confidentiality of information, typically used in contexts involving sensitive or secret data. While grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is relatively rare. It appears mostly in News & Media and Science contexts. Related phrases include "maintain confidentiality" and "keep it secret". When using this phrase, clarity and specificity are key to ensure the intended message is understood. A common writing error is overusing the passive voice; it's better to use a direct and active voice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain confidentiality

Emphasizes the act of keeping information private or secret, focusing on the duty to protect sensitive data.

hold in confidence

Suggests keeping information private due to a sense of trust or obligation.

keep under wraps

Implies concealing information from public knowledge or scrutiny.

maintain secrecy

Highlights the effort to ensure something remains unknown or hidden.

keep it quiet

Focuses on avoiding any public discussion or disclosure of information.

keep it hush-hush

Emphasizes the need to handle information with extreme discretion and secrecy.

not disclose

Directly states the act of refraining from revealing information.

keep it private

Underscores the importance of restricting access to information to only a select few.

hold back information

Suggests deliberately withholding specific details or facts.

not reveal

Indicates a decision to keep something secret or hidden from others.

FAQs

How can I use "keep it classified" in a sentence?

You can use "keep it classified" to instruct someone to maintain confidentiality. For example, "This document contains sensitive information, so please keep it classified until further notice."

What are some alternatives to "keep it classified"?

Alternatives include "maintain confidentiality", "keep it secret", or "hold in confidence".

Is it grammatically correct to say "keep it classified"?

Yes, "keep it classified" is grammatically correct and commonly used to instruct someone to maintain the confidentiality of information.

What is the difference between "keep it classified" and "keep it secret"?

"Keep it classified" typically implies a formal or official requirement for confidentiality, often related to government or organizational policies. "Keep it secret" is a more general term for maintaining confidentiality.