she kept to herself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "she kept to herself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is reserved or prefers solitude, often in social situations. Example: "At the party, she kept to herself, sitting quietly in the corner while others mingled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

What has she kept to herself?

The Washington Post

All fascinating historical tidbits she kept to herself.

The New York Times

(She kept to herself the thought that he had always been rather conservative).

The New Yorker

Whatever she thought of the coalition government, she kept to herself.

Independent

"The past year, she kept to herself, but she was not ill," he said.

The Guardian

Patty had her own, more sinister motives that she kept to herself.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

"She keeps to herself".

The New York Times

She keeps to herself, which is fine".

The New York Times - Magazine

DEBBIE REYNOLDS There is nothing that she keeps to herself.

The New York Times - Arts

She keeps to herself and drinks too much.

The New York Times

She likes Mr. Obama, a preference she keeps to herself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "she kept to herself" to describe a person's general demeanor or behavior in social situations, implying a preference for solitude or privacy. It's particularly useful when contrasting this behavior with the actions of others in the same setting.

Common error

Avoid using "she kept to herself" when the situation requires an explanation of why she is isolated. If the reason is sadness or illness, use more specific language to reflect the cause rather than just the symptom of withdrawal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "she kept to herself" functions as a descriptive statement, indicating a person's tendency to avoid social interaction and remain private. As evidenced by Ludwig, it describes a state of being reserved or preferring solitude.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "she kept to herself" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe someone who prefers solitude or avoids social interaction. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples confirms its validity across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While it maintains a neutral register, it's crucial to consider the subtle connotations to ensure accurate portrayal. As Ludwig AI suggests, avoid using this phrase when more specific language is needed to describe the underlying reasons for the isolation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

she remained isolated

Focuses on the lack of interaction with others, emphasizing a state of being alone.

she stayed solitary

Highlights the preference for being alone, suggesting a deliberate choice.

she avoided social contact

Emphasizes the active effort to prevent interaction with others.

she withdrew from others

Suggests a pulling away from previous interactions or relationships.

she was reclusive

Indicates a long-term pattern of avoiding social interaction, implying a lifestyle choice.

she was private

Highlights a general preference for keeping personal matters and thoughts to oneself.

she maintained her distance

Focuses on the deliberate creation of space between oneself and others.

she didn't socialize

A simpler way of saying she did not engage in social activities.

she kept her own company

Emphasizes contentment with being alone and not needing others' presence.

she lived in seclusion

Suggests a more extreme form of isolation, often involving physical separation from society.

FAQs

How can I use "she kept to herself" in a sentence?

You can use "she kept to herself" to describe someone who is reserved or prefers solitude. For example: "At the party, "she kept to herself", sitting quietly in the corner while others mingled."

What does it mean when someone "keeps to themselves"?

When someone "keeps to themselves", it generally means they are reserved, don't socialize much, and prefer to be alone or in their own company. This behavior can stem from shyness, introversion, or a desire for privacy.

What can I say instead of "she kept to herself"?

You can use alternatives like "she remained isolated", "she stayed solitary", or "she avoided social contact" depending on the context.

Is "she keeps to herself" the same as "she kept to herself"?

"She keeps to herself" is present tense, describing a current or habitual behavior. "She kept to herself" is past tense, describing a behavior that occurred at a specific time or during a specific period in the past.