keep the suspense

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep the suspense" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to encourage someone to maintain an element of uncertainty in a situation or story. For example: "The ending of the movie was ambiguous, but I'm sure the makers will keep the suspense going in the sequel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Coach Charlie Weis will keep the suspense going right up until the season opener against Georgia Tech on Saturday.

The New York Times - Sports

In their defense, the organizers say they hope to keep the suspense going as long as possible.

The New York Times - Sports

3. Thoughtful comments will add to everyone's enjoyment, and will keep the suspense going until the next teaser is published.

The Guardian

And the gamesmanship gets a little repetitive and confusing as Mr. Ives struggles to keep the suspense building and the mystery of Vanda's identity — and Thomas's psychology — elusive.

The New York Times

"The change will lead to a more dynamic voting sequence and keep the suspense and entertainment levels high right until the end of the voting," said Sand.

The Guardian

This format relieves the host — here it's Clive Pearse of HGTV's "Designed to Sell" — of having to mess around, Ryan Seacrestostyle, to keep the suspense alive as the obvious keepers in a competition are not cut.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

I think that keeps the suspense level up, because if I don't know where the story is going probably the reader doesn't know either.

The Guardian - Books

And Campbell kept the suspense going by making a 10-foot putt for birdie at No. 15, then a 9-foot putt for birdie at No. 16.

The New York Times - Sports

In many ways, "Argo" is a conventionally structured movie with many fabricated elements (the Canadian Ambassador who played a central role in the actual events is not happy) and insistent crosscutting that mechanically keeps the suspense high.

The New Yorker

But Sabbatini kept the suspense going with a splendid approach shot, lofting a wedge shot over trees and onto the green, stopping the ball about 25 feet from the pin.

The New York Times - Sports

It did not take long for the hydra that now rules men's tennis to lose one of its heads, as Safin kept the suspense to a minimum by beating the third-seeded Djokovic, 6-4, 7-6 (3), 6-2.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing fiction, "keep the suspense" by revealing information gradually to engage readers.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "keep the suspense" as it can become a cliché. Strive for more creative ways to build anticipation in your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep the suspense" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used transitively to describe the act of prolonging or maintaining a state of anticipation or uncertainty. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and offers numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep the suspense" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression in English, particularly within News & Media contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it serves to describe the act of maintaining a state of anticipation or uncertainty. While alternatives like "maintain the suspense" or "build the anticipation" exist, overuse of the phrase should be avoided for stylistic reasons. The phrase's neutral register makes it suitable for a wide range of communicative purposes. The analyzed data highlights its frequent appearance in reputable news sources like The New York Times and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain the suspense

Replaces "keep" with "maintain", emphasizing the act of continuing the suspense.

sustain the suspense

Replaces "keep" with "sustain", highlighting the effort to prolong the feeling of suspense.

build the anticipation

Shifts the focus to creating a sense of excitement and expectation rather than maintaining suspense.

heighten the tension

Focuses on increasing the feeling of tension associated with the suspense.

prolong the mystery

Emphasizes the act of extending the unknown or unexplained aspects of a situation.

draw out the suspense

Highlights the act of lengthening or extending the duration of the suspense.

keep the audience guessing

Specifies the target of the suspense, focusing on the uncertainty of the audience.

leave them in suspense

Focuses on the state of uncertainty in which the audience is left.

build the intrigue

Changes the focus to generating a feeling of fascination and curiosity.

maintain the uncertainty

Shifts the focus to sustaining the lack of certainty surrounding an event or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "keep the suspense" in a sentence?

You can use "keep the suspense" to describe actions that prolong uncertainty, such as "The director decided to "keep the suspense" until the final scene of the movie".

What are some alternatives to "keep the suspense"?

Alternatives include "maintain the suspense", "build the anticipation", or "heighten the tension", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "keep the suspense"?

Yes, "keep the suspense" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to describe maintaining a state of uncertainty or anticipation.

How does "keep the suspense" differ from "create suspense"?

"Keep the suspense" implies maintaining an existing state of anticipation, while "create suspense" refers to generating that feeling from the beginning.