keep this private

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep this private" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it any time you want to emphasize that something should remain confidential. For example: "I appreciate your help, but please keep this private."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

We are going to keep this private".

The New York Times

I wanted to keep this private, but recently the story broke to the world.

The New York Times

During that time I have been able to keep this private and to carry on with my work.

The New York Times

"Maybe I should keep this private to myself, but I feel a certain way in my heart," he said here.

The Guardian - Sport

The 20-page NIH report echoes the views of academic research chiefs, who say that it's critical to keep this private income flowing.

Science Magazine

You can elect to keep this private or to share your messages with the world (the site lets you syndicate your messages to Twitter, with Facebook support coming soon).

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Clinton Country Club Inside a brand-new 3,000-square-foot 3,000-square-foot 3,000-square-foot of maintenancepment that keeps this private golf course looking so buildingl.

The New York Times

Reitano kept this private, and over the years his heart healed and he was able to go off the medication.

TechCrunch

We understand the company is trying to keep this link private as they are in private beta, but it's on a publicly accessible page here.

TechCrunch

Anyone who wants to keep this information private must uncheck the boxes in that tab.

The New York Times

Yet that side of it is more of a conundrum – how to keep this stuff private – than a deterrent.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When requesting confidentiality, clearly state the reasons why it should be kept private to ensure the recipient understands the importance of the request.

Common error

Don't assume that someone will automatically understand that something should be kept secret. Always explicitly state "keep this private" to avoid misunderstandings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep this private" functions as an imperative, urging the listener or reader to maintain the confidentiality of the subject being discussed. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable in written English. Examples show it used in personal and professional contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep this private" is a grammatically correct and understandable phrase used to request confidentiality. Ludwig AI validates its proper use in English. While it appears most frequently in News & Media, it's applicable across various contexts, from personal matters to business discussions. Remember to state the reasons behind the request for privacy. Alternatives such as "ensure this remains confidential" or "treat this as confidential" can add nuance depending on the situation. Although fairly straightforward, remember that it's always better to explicitly ask someone to "keep this private" rather than assume they will."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

treat this as confidential

Focuses on the action of treating something as confidential.

ensure this remains confidential

Replaces "keep private" with "remains confidential", focusing on the state of confidentiality.

respect this confidence

Highlights respecting the privacy already involved in the matter.

maintain secrecy regarding this

Replaces "keep" with "maintain secrecy regarding", emphasizing the act of maintaining secrecy.

safeguard this secret

Emphasizes the protection of a secret.

hold this in confidence

Uses "hold in confidence", which is a more formal way of expressing confidentiality.

classify this as private

Focuses on officially categorizing something as private, which can be relevant in corporate or legal contexts.

don't disclose this information

Shifts the focus to not revealing the information.

consider this information privileged

Emphasizes that the information is to be treated with a special level of confidentiality.

regard this as off the record

Uses journalistic term "off the record", meaning not for publication.

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to "keep this private"?

You can soften the request by saying, "I would appreciate it if you'd "keep this private" until I'm ready to share it."

What is the difference between "keep this private" and "keep this confidential"?

While similar, "keep this confidential" often implies a professional or formal setting, whereas "keep this private" is more general and can apply to personal matters.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "keep this private"?

Use "keep this private" when sharing sensitive information that you don't want others to know, whether it's personal news, business plans, or anything else you want to remain secret.

What are some alternative ways to express the need for confidentiality?

Besides "keep this private", consider using phrases like "treat this as confidential", "hold this in confidence", or "please don't share this" depending on the context.