keep quiet

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep quiet" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You use it as an imperative to tell someone to not talk. Example: Please keep quiet during the meeting so that we can finish on time.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So men keep quiet.

Independent

Best to keep quiet.

The Economist

Just keep quiet.

The New Yorker

I would keep quiet.

The New York Times

Must keep quiet must keep quiet".

The Guardian

Best keep quiet.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Keep quiet," Uncle whispered.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And keep quiet.

The New York Times - Sports

"So people keep quiet.

The Guardian

"I can't keep quiet".

The New York Times

I'd keep quiet.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To soften the imperative, use "please" to be more polite when asking someone to "keep quiet."

Common error

Avoid mistaking "quiet" (silent) for "quite" (meaning 'very' or 'to a degree'). "Keep quite" is incorrect in this context; always use "keep quiet" to instruct someone to be silent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep quiet" functions primarily as an imperative, used to directly instruct or request someone to remain silent. Ludwig AI confirms it's a correct and usable phrase in written English. Examples from Ludwig show it used in various contexts, from whispering instructions to maintaining secrecy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Wiki

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep quiet" is a common and grammatically sound imperative used to request or instruct someone to remain silent. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its frequent usage across various contexts, including News & Media and Wiki, highlights its versatility. When using "keep quiet", remember to consider the context and soften the command with "please" when appropriate. Avoid confusing "quiet" with "quite", and explore alternatives like "remain silent" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain silent

Emphasizes the act of not speaking, similar to "keep quiet".

stay silent

Similar to "remain silent", highlighting the continuation of silence.

be silent

Simple and direct command to maintain silence

say nothing

A straightforward alternative, simply indicating the absence of speech.

hold your tongue

Suggests a conscious effort to avoid speaking, adding a nuance of restraint.

hush

A direct command to be silent, often used to quiet someone quickly.

button your lip

An informal way to tell someone to stop talking.

zip your mouth

Similar to "button your lip", an informal way to urge silence.

clam up

Implies a sudden refusal to speak, often due to nervousness or fear.

not breathe a word

Focuses on maintaining secrecy and not revealing information.

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to "keep quiet"?

You can soften the command by saying "Please "keep quiet"" or "Could you please "keep quiet"?".

What does "keep quiet" mean?

The phrase ""keep quiet"" means to remain silent or to avoid making noise. It is often used as an instruction or request.

Is it correct to say "stay quiet" instead of ""keep quiet""?

Yes, "stay quiet" is a grammatically correct alternative to ""keep quiet"" and carries a similar meaning.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase ""keep quiet""?

It is appropriate to use ""keep quiet"" in situations where silence is necessary or preferred, such as in a library, during a performance, or when someone is trying to concentrate.