kept secret from

USAGE SUMMARY

"kept secret from" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something is being kept hidden or confidential from someone or a group of people. Example: The company's new product launch has been kept secret from the public until the official announcement next month. In this sentence, "kept secret from" indicates that the company has purposely not shared information about the product with the public until a specific date.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The arrangement was kept secret from his wife until 2004.

The New York Times

The arrangement was kept secret from the fund's board of directors and other investors.

The New York Times

Khan had torn the cartilage in his shoulder, which he kept secret from his teammates.

The New Yorker

Bodies are buried in unmarked graves that are kept secret from family and friends.

The New York Times

The rebates have generally been kept secret from schools, which are charged the full price.

The New York Times

It was kept secret from everyone at the Post except a few top editors and executives.

The New Yorker

Phones are often exchanged as gifts and kept secret from the family, he said.

The New York Times

"Would this be kept secret from your mother?" "Yeah," the boy said.

The New Yorker

Grand jury proceedings are kept secret from the defense, and witnesses are not cross-examined.

The New York Times

I write articles on subjects I'd previously kept secret from my nearest and dearest.

The Guardian

(Details of these negotiations are kept secret from the public and the company's competitors).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "kept secret from", ensure the context clearly identifies both the information being concealed and the individual or group from whom it is being hidden. For example: "The details of the negotiation were kept secret from the public."

Common error

Avoid using "kept secret from" in unnecessarily passive constructions that obscure agency. Instead of "It was kept secret from them", prefer "They kept it secret from them" or "Someone kept it secret from them".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept secret from" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb, adjective, or noun. It describes the state of information being concealed or withheld from a specific individual or group, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kept secret from" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that information is intentionally hidden or withheld from someone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence in various contexts. Analysis reveals that it functions to emphasize concealment, maintains a neutral register, and appears most frequently in news and media sources. While alternatives such as "concealed from" or "withheld from" exist, "kept secret from" provides a clear and widely understood way to express the idea of maintaining secrecy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Concealed from

Emphasizes the act of hiding something, slightly more formal.

Hidden from

Focuses on the state of being unseen or unknown, broader application.

Withheld from

Highlights the act of deliberately not giving information.

Not disclosed to

Formal and direct, emphasizing a lack of revelation.

Unbeknownst to

Implies the person was unaware of something, focuses on their lack of knowledge.

Under wraps from

Suggests a secretive or confidential handling of information.

Not revealed to

Similar to "not disclosed to" but can also suggest a gradual revealing.

Classified from

Often used in official or governmental contexts, implying security restrictions.

Privy to

Indicates that someone is not allowed to know confidential information.

Behind someone's back

Implies doing something secretively, often with negative connotations.

FAQs

How can I use "kept secret from" in a sentence?

Use "kept secret from" to show that something was intentionally not shared with someone. For example, "The plan was "kept secret from" his family."

What are some alternatives to "kept secret from"?

Alternatives include phrases like "concealed from", "hidden from", or "withheld from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "was kept secret from"?

Yes, "was kept secret from" is grammatically correct. It is a passive construction, indicating that something was concealed by someone or something.

What is the difference between "kept secret from" and "confidential"?

"Kept secret from" implies an action of hiding information from someone, while "confidential" describes the nature of the information itself as private or not for general knowledge. You might say, "The document was confidential and therefore "kept secret from" unauthorized personnel."