keep it untouched

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep it untouched" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of not altering or changing something. Example: "Please keep it untouched until we have a chance to review it together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Philippa Kaye expresses tensions between longing to change the environment and to keep it untouched.

The New York Times

Philippa Kaye expresses tensions between longing to change the environment and a desire to keep it untouched.

The New York Times

Close the doors to the room to keep it untouched.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

You want to keep it shiny and untouched really.

The New York Times

Randy Tufts, who with a friend stumbled upon Kartchner Caverns, an untouched subterranean wonderland of geological creativity, and then kept it secret for 14 years, until he was confident that it would be protected, died on April 1 in Tucson.

The New York Times

It's about the war of ideas within Islam — a war between religious zealots who glorify martyrdom and want to keep Islam untouched by modernity and isolated from other faiths, with its women disempowered, and those who want to embrace modernity, open Islam to new ideas and empower Muslim women as much as men.

The New York Times

The catchy twist on the song shows just how hard it is to keep Halloween candy untouched.

Huffington Post

For example, fail to keep completely untouched validation data or improperly use cross-validation technique can all cause overly optimistic results being reported.

BMC Systems Biology

Its kept its key interest rate untouched at a range of zero to 0.1 percent and maintained the size of its asset-buying program.

The New York Times

"If we can keep that area untouched," Ms. Regas said, "it will provide an unparalleled scientific resource and a huge investment in improving the planet's resilience to climate change".

The New York Times

In this case we do not need to transport the energy and we keep rural areas untouched.

Refocus

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "keep it untouched", be precise about what 'it' refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For example, specify "keep the original document untouched" rather than just "keep it untouched".

Common error

Avoid using "keep it untouched" when you actually mean something should be unused or left alone for practical reasons, not necessarily for preserving its original state. For example, don't say "keep the tools untouched during the experiment" if you simply mean "do not use the tools".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep it untouched" functions as a directive or instruction, often used to emphasize the importance of maintaining the current state of something. Ludwig AI examples showcase its use in contexts ranging from physical objects to abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep it untouched" is grammatically correct, though relatively rare in occurrence. According to Ludwig, it functions as a directive to maintain something in its current state, free from alterations. Its usage spans across News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts, indicating a generally neutral to informal register. When using this phrase, clarity is key to avoid misinterpretations. Related phrases, like "leave it as is", offer semantically similar alternatives. Remember to adapt your language to the specific context, ensuring that "keep it untouched" accurately conveys your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain its untouched state

Explicitly mentions maintaining the state of being untouched.

keep it as is

A more direct and informal way of saying to not change something.

leave it unaltered

Highlights the absence of any changes or modifications.

maintain it intact

Emphasizes keeping something whole and undamaged.

do not modify it

A directive to refrain from making any modifications.

leave it pristine

Focuses on maintaining the original, perfect condition.

retain its original form

Specifically refers to keeping the shape or structure unchanged.

preserve its integrity

Highlights the preservation of the essential qualities of something.

protect it from change

Focuses on shielding something from any kind of alteration.

hold it inviolate

Stresses the importance of not violating or disturbing something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "keep it untouched" for a formal context?

In a formal setting, consider using phrases like "maintain its integrity", "preserve its original state", or "retain its original form".

What does "keep it untouched" imply?

The phrase "keep it untouched" generally implies preserving something in its current condition, without any alterations, modifications, or interference.

Is it better to say "leave it untouched" or "keep it untouched"?

Both phrases are valid, but "leave it untouched" often suggests a one-time action of not interacting with something, while "keep it untouched" implies a continuous effort to maintain its current state over time.

What's the difference between "keep it untouched" and "keep it as is"?

"Keep it untouched" implies maintaining something in its pristine or original state, free from any physical contact or modification. "Keep it as is" simply means to maintain the current state, which may not necessarily be pristine or untouched.