keep them closely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep them closely" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of keeping something in close proximity or maintaining a close relationship, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "Please keep them closely monitored during the experiment."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Again, keep them closely together, without gaps.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

And the best way to accelerate their companies, I've learned, is to keep them as closely connected as possible to the outside world.

Huffington Post

Keep them as closely together as possible; there should be no gaps through which you can see Styrofoam.

WikiHow

By contrast, dealing with young low-level offenders through community-based programs keeps them more closely connected to their families and to local institutions, while also cutting recidivism.

The New York Times

This is one of my favourite types of plot, having more than one, and Rebecca Stead has written Liar and Spy in a way that keeps them all closely linked together until each sub-plot either ends, twists or merges with another.

The Guardian

Leave the door open a crack and watch them closely, turning often, to keep them from burning.

WikiHow

Apocalyptic texts aren't simple puzzles to be solved; they are elaborate sermons of hope, and their perplexing imagery keeps them from mapping too closely on to any particular historical moment.

Huffington Post

"We make it clear to them we expect them to keep us closely apprised," he said.

The New York Times

A website can help parents - particularly those who are working full time - to keep more closely in touch with what the school does.

The Guardian

One reason is his propensity to hold at arm's length career staff who might keep him closely informed of ethical pitfalls and policy nuances.

The New Yorker

"We will keep working closely with leaders in Stormont, and Dublin, and Westminster to support your political progress".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to emphasize physical nearness or emotional intimacy, consider using phrases like "keep them near" or "hold them close" instead of the grammatically questionable phrase "keep them closely".

Common error

Be cautious about positioning adverbs incorrectly. In the phrase "keep them closely", the word "closely" sounds awkward. Instead, consider rewriting the sentence to use adjectives or different verb constructions for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep them closely" functions as a verb phrase, where "keep" is the main verb, "them" is the object, and "closely" is intended to modify the verb. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this construction is not standard English, making its grammatical function questionable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "keep them closely" is grammatically incorrect, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's a rare construction that doesn't follow standard English usage. While the intention is often to convey the idea of maintaining proximity or close monitoring, it's best to use alternatives like ""keep them near"" or ""closely monitor them"" for clarity and correctness. The frequency of this phrase is low across various contexts, and it's generally absent from formal writing. Therefore, avoiding this phrase in favor of more grammatically sound options is advisable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep them near

Replaces "closely" with "near" for a simpler expression of proximity.

keep them guarded

Emphasizes protection and secrecy, shifting focus from proximity to security.

maintain close contact with them

Rephrases the sentence to highlight maintaining a connection.

closely monitor them

Focuses on observation and supervision rather than physical closeness.

keep them under close watch

Highlights the act of carefully watching and observing.

keep them well-informed

Shifts the meaning to keeping someone updated with information.

keep them aligned

Focuses on maintaining agreement or coordination.

keep them connected

Emphasizes maintaining a relationship or link.

keep them tightly packed

Describes a specific situation where items are packed together.

oversee them carefully

Highlights the act of supervising or managing with care.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "keep them closely"?

Alternatives include "keep them near", "closely monitor them", or "maintain close contact with them", depending on the context.

How can I use "keep them closely" correctly in a sentence?

While "keep them closely" is grammatically awkward, restructuring the sentence can improve clarity. For example, instead of "keep them closely", consider "keep them near" or "monitor them closely".

Which is correct, "keep them closely" or "keep them close"?

"keep them close" is generally more correct and natural-sounding than "keep them closely". The former uses 'close' as an adjective, while the latter misuses 'closely' as an adverb modifying 'them'.

What is the difference between "keep them close" and "keep them closely"?

"Keep them close" suggests maintaining proximity or emotional connection. "Keep them closely" is grammatically suspect and less common; alternatives such as ""closely monitor them"" might be more appropriate depending on the intended meaning.