kept it simple

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept it simple" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would use this phrase when you want to express the idea that you have made something easier or simpler than it could have been. For example: "When I decided to decorate my kitchen, I kept it simple with white walls and no complicated designs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead of complaining about the school and criticizing its decision, Siobhan kept it simple.

HuffPost

I kept it simple.

University of California, Berkeley

Others kept it simple.

The Guardian

But he kept it simple.

The Guardian - Sport

They kept it simple and effective.

The Guardian - Sport

Del Zotto kept it simple and did his part in the victory over Calgary.

The New York Times - Sports

Lily James also kept it simple in a white dress by Ulyana Sergeenko.

Independent

Our text was more clear and persuasive when we kept it simple".

The New Yorker

But on the night that he was elected president, Kennedy kept it simple.

The New York Times

Asked what Orpik means to this team, Wilson kept it simple.

The Washington Post

This week they kept it simple and filmed a fluffy golden puppy running and jumping.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing others, using "kept it simple" can encourage a focus on essential steps, preventing over-complication and improving understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "kept it simple" when describing solutions that require deep expertise or involve intricate processes. The phrase might trivialize the effort and knowledge involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept it simple" functions as a descriptive expression, indicating that a task, design, or approach was intentionally made easy to understand or execute. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to describe a deliberate choice to avoid complexity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kept it simple" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a deliberate avoidance of complexity. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, to convey efficiency and clarity. While its register is generally neutral, more formal settings may benefit from alternative phrasings. When instructing others or describing a clear methodology, using the phrase "kept it simple" encourages focusing on essential steps and avoiding over-complication, ultimately improving understanding. It's advisable to avoid overusing this phrase in contexts that require deep expertise or intricate processes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

opted for simplicity

Highlights the choice of a simple solution over more complex ones.

took the uncomplicated route

Focuses on selecting a path or method that avoids difficulties.

chose a straightforward approach

Emphasizes directness and lack of complexity in the method chosen.

stuck to the essentials

Focuses on prioritizing only the most important elements, omitting unnecessary details.

favored an easy method

Suggests a preference for an uncomplicated way of doing something.

streamlined the process

Indicates an effort to make something more efficient and less complex.

followed a clear process

Implies adherence to a process that is easily understood and executed.

maintained a basic strategy

Highlights the act of preserving simplicity and avoiding complexities in planning.

pursued a no-frills solution

Emphasizes the selection of a solution without unnecessary additions or embellishments.

used a minimalist design

Highlights the act of adopting the minimalist design and avoiding complexities in planning.

FAQs

How can I use "kept it simple" in a sentence?

You can use "kept it simple" to describe a situation where you intentionally avoided complexity. For example, "For my presentation, I "kept it simple" with clear visuals and concise bullet points".

What does "kept it simple" mean?

"Kept it simple" means to avoid unnecessary complexity and focus on the essential elements of something. It implies a deliberate choice to make something easy to understand or use.

What can I say instead of "kept it simple"?

Alternatives to "kept it simple" include "chose a straightforward approach", "opted for simplicity", or "favored an easy method", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "kept it simple" formal or informal?

"Kept it simple" is generally considered informal to neutral. While acceptable in most contexts, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "streamlined the process" or "stuck to the essentials".