Keep it (as) a scret

Question

Which of the following is correct?#1. I keep it a secret.#2. I keep it as a secret.I know that the following are both correct.#3. I consider him my friend.#4. I treat him as my friend.It seems that the use of "as" is rather arbitrary. Is there any "rule" concerning the use of "as"? Thanks.

Philip · Accepted Answer

1 & 2: both correct, but I wouldn't use as, personally.
3: Correct (don't use as)
4: Correct (as is necessary)

Avangi · Answer

It probably doesn't work in all cases, but if you can substitute "to be" for "as," then drop the "as."

I consider him as my friend. I consider him to be my friend. I consider him my friend.

I treat him as my friend. I treat him to be my friend. (no good!) I treat him as my friend.

I use this as a dishrag. I use this to be a dishrag. (no good!) I use this as a dishrag.

I found this book as very helpful. I found this book to be very helpful. I found this book very helpful.

I keep it as a secret. I keep it to be a secret. I keep it a secret. (This one's a little tough.)

I'll take that as a promise. I'll take that to be a promise. I'll take that a promise. (Doesn't work!)

I'll make that as a promise. I'll make that to be a promise. I'll make that a promise. (borderline)

CalifJim · Answer

rickywong08It seems that the use of "as" is rather arbitrary. Is there any "rule" concerning the use of "as"?

as has several meanings and uses, so its usage does seem arbitrary. There is no rule.

In the case of secret, it's a matter of learning the grammar of keep with an adjective.

to keep something cold / warm / hot
to keep something hidden / secret
to keep someone informed

and then learning that we have the unusual idiom with keep and a noun: to keep something a secret,
whereas there is no such idiom in the other cases: *keep something a cold / a hidden / ...

CJ

Keep it (as) a scret

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