keep it empty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep it empty" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to leave a space or container unfilled or unoccupied. Example: "For the next step in the process, please keep it empty until we add the final ingredients."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

The computer tries to fill up the screen while you try to keep it empty.

The New York Times - Magazine

"He didn't think it made financial sense to keep it empty," Ms. McCausland said.

The New York Times

An owner who isn't in residence can choose to put the unit in a rental pool to bring in income or can keep it empty.

The New York Times

"I've told them to keep it empty.

Los Angeles Times

"We told him we'd keep it empty for a while in case they call him back".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

For instance, bottles of water (No big deal if they spill it), non-messy heat-resistant snacks such as Clif bars in case they get hungry, tissues, a plastic bag or bin for trash (Keep it emptied regularly; bring many bags if you fear a carsick passenger), an umbrella, bug repellent or sunscreen depending on the destination, and some free trunk space.

WikiHow

But bureaucratic red tape has kept it empty since March.

The New York Times

We try to keep it as empty as possible.

The New Yorker

Because of the investment and maintenance costs, "you can't just keep it sitting empty," Mr. Bowen said.

The New York Times

Keep it half empty or half full :) The first time he poured the glass of milk without spilling, he was so excited.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "keep it empty", be specific about the timeframe or conditions. For example, "keep it empty until further notice".

Common error

While "keep it empty" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can sound too informal. Opt for more precise language like "maintain a vacant state" or "ensure it remains unoccupied".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep it empty" primarily functions as an imperative, used to give a direct command or instruction. Examples in Ludwig show its use in contexts ranging from managing physical spaces to abstract concepts like a clear mind.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep it empty" is a common and grammatically sound imperative used to instruct someone to maintain a state of emptiness. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's versatile, appearing in contexts from news articles to instructional wikis. While its register leans towards neutral, more formal alternatives like "maintain it unfilled" may be preferable in professional settings. Remember to be specific with the timeframe or conditions when using this phrase to ensure clarity. Overall, "keep it empty" is a useful and readily understood expression in everyday English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leave it vacant

Emphasizes the act of leaving something unoccupied.

maintain it unfilled

Highlights the ongoing effort to prevent something from being filled.

keep it clear

Focuses on keeping something free from obstructions or contents.

preserve it untouched

Stresses the importance of maintaining something in its original, unaltered state.

ensure it remains empty

Adds emphasis to the necessity of maintaining an empty state.

hold it vacant

Similar to "leave it vacant", but with a sense of temporary reservation.

keep it bare

Emphasizes the simplicity and lack of contents in a space.

keep it unoccupied

Focuses on keeping a space or area without any inhabitants or contents.

maintain emptiness

Highlights the act of upkeeping something with nothing in it

let it remain empty

Focuses on allowing something to remain in an empty condition

FAQs

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

You can use "keep it empty" to instruct someone to leave a space or container unfilled. For example: "Please "keep it empty" until we add the ingredients".

What's a more formal way to say "keep it empty"?

For more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "maintain it unfilled", "ensure it remains vacant", or "preserve its emptiness".

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

Yes, "keep it empty" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English.

What are some situations where I might need to "keep it empty"?

You might need to "keep it empty" when referring to a container that needs to be filled later, a space that should be free of clutter, or a database field that shouldn't have unnecessary data.