to be kept

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be kept" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that needs to be remembered, stored, or maintained. For example: "The passwords used to access the system must be kept secure at all times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Secrets had to be kept.

The New Yorker

Expectations have to be kept realistic.

Independent

Things had to be kept moving.

The New Yorker

Disorder had to be kept at bay.

Encyclopedia Britannica

These places need to be kept alive.

The New York Times - Arts

She didn't want to be kept, anywhere.

The New York Times - Magazine

The two need to be kept separate.

The Guardian

The programme framework has to be kept".

The Guardian

"Traffic needs to be kept moving".

The Guardian

There were still secrets to be kept.

The New York Times

Citizens were to be kept at bay.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be kept", ensure the sentence clearly indicates who or what is responsible for maintaining or preserving the item or information.

Common error

Avoid replacing the passive construction "to be kept" with an active voice construction using 'keep' when the passive voice is more appropriate. For example, instead of "They must keep the data secret", using "The data has to be kept secret" might be more fitting if you want to focus on the data's state rather than the actor.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be kept" functions as part of an infinitive construction, often appearing in passive voice sentences. As shown in Ludwig, it indicates a requirement or necessity for something to remain in a specified condition or state. For example, "Secrets had to be kept."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be kept" is a versatile phrase used to indicate a necessity for maintaining or preserving something in a particular state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, including news, science, and business. When writing, remember that the phrase's formality can range from neutral to professional, depending on the context. Be mindful to avoid replacing the passive construction of "to be kept" with an active voice construction using 'keep' if the passive voice is more appropriate to highlight who or what is responsible for maintaining or preserving the item or information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be maintained

Focuses on the act of preserving the condition of something.

to be preserved

Emphasizes protecting something from decay or damage.

to be retained

Highlights the act of keeping something in one's possession or memory.

to be safeguarded

Implies protecting something from potential harm or threat.

to be protected

Stresses the action of shielding something from danger.

to be conserved

Focuses on the careful use of resources to prevent depletion.

to be stored

Highlights the act of placing something in a specific location for future use.

to be held

Emphasizes keeping something in a particular state or condition.

to be upheld

Implies maintaining a principle or standard.

to be sustained

Focuses on supporting or maintaining something over a period of time.

FAQs

How can I use "to be kept" in a sentence?

Use "to be kept" when you want to express that something needs to be maintained or preserved in a certain state or condition. For example, "The samples need "to be kept" refrigerated."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "to be kept"?

You can use alternatives such as "to be maintained", "to be preserved", or "to be retained" depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between saying 'must be kept' and 'needs to be kept'?

While both phrases convey a necessity, 'must be kept' often implies a stronger obligation or requirement compared to 'needs to be kept'. The choice depends on the level of emphasis you want to convey.

How do I ensure something "is to be kept" confidential?

When indicating something is ""to be kept" confidential", explicitly state the requirement and any consequences for failing to do so. For example, "All project documents are "to be kept" confidential, and any unauthorized disclosure will result in disciplinary action."