to keep things unpredictable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to keep things unpredictable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing strategies or approaches that aim to maintain an element of surprise or variability in a situation. Example: "In our marketing campaign, we decided to keep things unpredictable by changing our messaging frequently to engage our audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It's good to keep things unpredictable.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Ms. Jonas, to her credit, keeps things unpredictable and open-ended.

The New York Times - Arts

The rest of the playlist leaned on seventies rock — the Faces, Mott the Hoople, Iggy & the Stooges — but used recent tracks to keep things pleasantly unpredictable: Lady Sovereign's bubbly dance track "Blah Blah" and a track called "Johnny Depp," by the sixties revivalists Chocolat, from Montreal.

The New Yorker

To keep things really unpredictable, we'll be filming everything before a live audience. .

Vice

Ryan McGinley "I like to keep things a bit weird and unpredictable," says Ryan McGinley, 32 (near left), who had the "Slumdog Millionaire" star Freida Pinto hurl a glass of wine at him for our cover story ("Out on a Limb," Page 188).

The New York Times

Roller-coaster rides down or up make business returns unpredictable.So Tito Mboweni, governor of the central bank, will want to keep things as steady as possible, perhaps letting the currency now devalue gently.

The Economist

Just to keep things spinning?

The New Yorker

"He likes to keep things to himself.

The New York Times

You have to keep things going.

The Economist

The mayor tries to keep things light.

The New York Times

We just had to keep things steady.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to keep things unpredictable" when you want to convey the intention of maintaining an element of surprise or variability within a process, plan, or environment. This helps in engaging audiences or adapting to changing circumstances.

Common error

Avoid using "to keep things unpredictable" excessively, as it can diminish the impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "to maintain an element of surprise" or "to ensure variability" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to keep things unpredictable" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It explains the reason or intention behind an action, aiming to introduce or maintain an element of surprise or variability. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is considered correct and acceptable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Wiki

29%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to keep things unpredictable" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to express the intention of avoiding routine and fostering variability. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in English. Its function is to articulate purpose, and it is versatile across different registers, although more prevalent in News & Media and Wiki contexts. While alternatives like "to maintain an element of surprise" or "to ensure variability" exist, this phrase effectively conveys the desire to create dynamism and engagement by preventing predictable outcomes. Remember not to overuse it to maintain its impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to make it less predictable

Directly negates predictability, focusing on the reduction of expected outcomes.

to maintain an element of surprise

Focuses on the aspect of surprise, omitting the broader sense of unpredictability.

to leave room for surprises

Focuses on allowing unexpected events to occur, rather than actively creating unpredictability.

to ensure variability

Highlights the aspect of change and lack of fixed patterns.

to promote the unexpected

This alternative emphasizes promoting or encouraging unexpected outcomes or situations.

to add an element of uncertainty

Emphasizes the uncertainty aspect, suggesting potential outcomes are unknown.

to introduce randomness

Highlights the introduction of chance or unpredictable elements.

to foster dynamism

Stresses the creation of active, changing conditions.

to avoid monotony

Shifts the focus to preventing boredom by introducing change.

to create a sense of novelty

Emphasizes newness and originality, differing from predictability.

FAQs

How can I use "to keep things unpredictable" in a sentence?

You can use "to keep things unpredictable" to describe an action taken with the intention of avoiding routine or expected outcomes. For example: "In our marketing campaign, we decided "to keep things unpredictable" by changing our messaging frequently."

What are some alternatives to "to keep things unpredictable"?

Alternatives include phrases like "to maintain an element of surprise", "to ensure variability", or "to add an element of uncertainty", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "to keep things unpredictable" in writing?

It's appropriate when describing strategies or approaches that aim to maintain an element of surprise or variability in a situation, especially when routine or predictability might lead to disengagement or stagnation. This is common in creative, marketing, or strategic planning contexts.

What's the difference between "to keep things unpredictable" and "to maintain an element of surprise"?

While similar, ""to keep things unpredictable"" has a broader scope, suggesting general variability, whereas "to maintain an element of surprise" specifically targets unexpected outcomes or actions. The former is about avoiding routine, the latter is about causing surprise.