was kept secret

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was kept secret" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that was intentionally not disclosed or made known to others. Example: "The details of the project were kept secret until the official announcement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was kept secret".

The New York Times - Sports

Everything was kept secret".

The New York Times

The deal, however, was kept secret.

The New York Times

Bad news was kept secret.

The Guardian - Books

The Trump-Russia inquiry was kept secret.

The Guardian

Kaplan's name, however, was kept secret.

The Guardian - Sport

Even this article was kept secret.

The New York Times

Under British judicial rules, the boy's identity was kept secret.

The New York Times

That decision was kept secret for two years.

The New York Times

The timing of Tuesday's operation was kept secret.

The New York Times

Still, Voloshin's involvement in the project was kept secret.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was kept secret" when you want to emphasize the intentional effort to withhold information, especially when there might be a sense of intrigue or potential consequences related to the secrecy.

Common error

While "was kept secret" is grammatically correct, avoid overusing passive voice constructions in your writing. Sometimes, an active voice alternative (e.g., "They kept it secret") can make your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was kept secret" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject (an event, information, etc.) had secrecy imposed upon it by an unspecified actor. As Ludwig demonstrates, it often describes situations where intentional concealment occurred.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was kept secret" is a common and grammatically sound passive verb phrase used to describe situations where information or events were intentionally concealed. Ludwig's analysis shows it's most frequently found in news and media contexts, suggesting its relevance in reporting on hidden affairs and untold stories. Alternatives like ""was concealed"" or ""was hidden"" offer similar meanings, though "was kept secret" emphasizes the deliberate act of withholding information. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, serving to emphasize the act of concealing information or events. While effective, it is important to not overuse passive constructions in writing and ensure an active voice is not more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was concealed

Emphasizes the act of hiding something physically or metaphorically.

was hidden

Suggests something was put out of sight or knowledge.

was not revealed

Focuses on the lack of disclosure, rather than active concealment.

was undisclosed

Highlights the state of not being made known.

remained confidential

Implies a need for secrecy due to the sensitive nature of the information.

was under wraps

An idiomatic expression meaning something was kept secret until a specific time.

was off the record

Indicates that the information was not intended for public release or quotation.

was kept under cover

Suggests an active effort to hide or protect something.

was a closely guarded secret

Emphasizes the importance and effort involved in maintaining secrecy.

was suppressed

Suggests that information was actively prevented from being known.

FAQs

What does "was kept secret" mean?

The phrase "was kept secret" means that information or an event was intentionally not revealed or made known to others. It implies a deliberate act of concealment.

What are some alternatives to "was kept secret"?

You can use alternatives like "was concealed", "was hidden", or "was not revealed" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "was kept secret" or "remained secret"?

Both "was kept secret" and "remained secret" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Was kept secret" implies an active effort to conceal something, while "remained secret" suggests that something simply stayed unknown without necessarily being actively hidden.

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

You can use "was kept secret" to describe situations where information or plans were intentionally withheld from others. For example: "The details of the negotiation "was kept secret" until the agreement was finalized."