kept private

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept private" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to emphasize that something should be kept confidential or not shared with others. For example: We agreed that all discussions would be kept private.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Problems are kept private.

The Washington Post

Thoughts best kept private around here.

The New York Times

By design, the trips are kept private.

The New York Times

It should be kept private".

The New York Times

Few things are kept private.

The New York Times

That should be kept private, not public.

The New York Times - Arts

She says identities are kept private.

The New York Times

The identity of survivors is kept private.

The Guardian

He wants his private life kept private.

The New York Times

Contracts had previously been kept private.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Keep private meeting notes separate.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept private" to emphasize the importance of maintaining discretion and preventing unauthorized access to information.

Common error

Avoid assuming that something is automatically "kept private". Clearly communicate the expectation and implement necessary safeguards to ensure confidentiality. Merely hoping something will remain private is insufficient.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept private" functions as a verb phrase, often appearing as part of a passive construction. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in diverse contexts, indicating that something is intentionally maintained in a confidential state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

16%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kept private" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to denote confidentiality. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used across various contexts, primarily in news and media, science, and academic writing. To ensure clarity, explicitly state that information should be "kept private" and proactively implement measures to maintain discretion. Common alternatives include "remained confidential" and "held in confidence". Remember that assuming automatic privacy is insufficient; clear communication is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Remained confidential

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the confidentiality.

Held in confidence

Highlights the trust and discretion involved.

Not disclosed

Focuses on the act of withholding information.

Maintained in secrecy

Emphasizes the active effort to keep something secret.

Restricted from public access

Highlights the limited availability of information.

Classified information

Indicates a formal designation of secrecy.

Protected from disclosure

Focuses on safeguarding information from being revealed.

Conserved in privacy

Emphasizes that it remains a privacy matter.

Privately withheld

Highlights deliberate act of withholding information.

Confidential nature

Highlights it should be a privacy matter.

FAQs

How can I use "kept private" in a sentence?

You can use "kept private" to describe information or actions that should not be shared with others. For example, "The details of the settlement were "kept private" by mutual agreement."

What are some alternatives to saying "kept private"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "remained confidential", "held in confidence", or "not disclosed".

Is it correct to say "keep private" instead of "kept private"?

"Keep private" is grammatically different. "Kept private" is the past participle form, often used in passive constructions. "Keep private" is the imperative form, used to instruct someone to maintain privacy. For example, "Please "keep private" all information discussed in this meeting."

What is the difference between "confidential" and "kept private"?

"Confidential" describes the inherent nature of information that should not be disclosed, while "kept private" describes the action of maintaining that confidentiality. Information can be inherently "confidential", and therefore efforts are made to have it "kept private".