keep to yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep to yourself" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to advise someone to not share personal information or feelings with others. For example: "I know it's hard to open up to others, but it's best to keep to yourself in this situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

HuffPost

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You keep to yourself?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Is there anything that you keep to yourself?

The New York Times - Arts

"Please keep to yourself as obviously not well known".

The New York Times

"If you keep to yourself, life is very comfortable here.

The Guardian

You can join others or keep to yourself without awkwardness.

The New York Times - Travel

"Some comments you've got to keep to yourself," Holmes said.

The New York Times - Sports

I think that's very good information to keep to yourself.

The Guardian - Sport

It's just much too good to keep to yourself.

The Guardian - Books

He added, "Please keep to yourself as obviously not well known".

The New York Times

There's people if you want to socialize but you can also keep to yourself.

The New Yorker

"So you keep to yourself rather then risk flying into a rage for no reason".

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone to "keep to yourself", consider the specific context. It can suggest privacy, caution, or discretion. Ensure the advice aligns with the situation's nuances.

Common error

Avoid promoting isolation as a long-term solution. While "keep to yourself" can be helpful temporarily, encourage seeking support and connection when appropriate. Isolation can exacerbate problems rather than solve them.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "keep to yourself" primarily functions as an imperative, offering advice or a suggestion. It’s often used to encourage discretion, privacy, or avoidance of social interaction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

HuffPost

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

The Guardian

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep to yourself" is a common and grammatically sound phrasal verb, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It primarily functions as an imperative, advising discretion or privacy. Analysis of example sentences reveals its frequent use in News & Media and Wiki sources, with a neutral register that suits various contexts. While "keep to yourself" suggests limiting social interaction or maintaining privacy, it's important to consider the context and avoid promoting isolation as a long-term solution. Alternative phrases like "remain private" or "stay secluded" offer similar meanings with subtle differences. Remember to use this phrase judiciously, considering the specific nuances of each situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain private

Focuses on maintaining privacy without explicitly mentioning social interaction.

stay secluded

Emphasizes physical isolation and withdrawal from others.

avoid contact

Highlights the action of preventing interaction with others.

maintain solitude

Stresses the positive aspect of being alone and self-sufficient.

keep a low profile

Suggests avoiding attention rather than necessarily avoiding people.

be reclusive

Indicates a habitual tendency to avoid social interaction.

not socialize

Directly states the absence of social activity.

live apart

Implies a physical separation that results in less social contact.

hold back

Emphasizes not sharing information or emotions.

stay reserved

Focuses on maintaining a composed and private demeanor.

FAQs

How can I advise someone to be discreet and private?

You can suggest they "keep to yourself", which implies not sharing personal information or feelings openly. Alternatively, you could advise them to "remain private" or "keep a low profile".

Is it always good advice to "keep to yourself"?

No, it depends on the situation. While it can be useful for maintaining privacy or avoiding conflict, it's not always healthy to isolate oneself. Sometimes, seeking support or opening up to others is more beneficial. Be mindful of the context when using the phrase.

What's the difference between "keep to yourself" and "be reclusive"?

"Keep to yourself" is a more general suggestion to maintain privacy or avoid social interaction in a specific situation. "Be reclusive", on the other hand, suggests a habitual and often extreme tendency to avoid social contact.

When is it appropriate to tell someone to "keep to yourself"?

It's appropriate when someone is in a potentially volatile situation, when discretion is needed, or when they need personal space to process their thoughts and feelings. It's also suitable when someone is sharing too much personal information with inappropriate people.