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Anonymous Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

'secret' or 'a secret'

Teachers,

Please keep it secret. (Can you keep it secret?)

Please keep it a secret. (Can you keep it a secret?)

Are there any differences in meaning between these two?

And if you want to use in place of 'Don't tell it to anyone.' or 'Keep it to your self.' , which would you use?

Thank you for your advice.
  

Top answer

Hi, Please keep it secret . ) Please keep it a secret . In everyday English, not really.

— Clive

  • Hi, Please keep it secret .
  • ) Please keep it a secret .
  • In everyday English, not really.
  • ' , which would you use?
  • #2.
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4 Answers
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Hi,

Please keep it secret. (Can you keep it secret?)

Please keep it a secret. (Can you keep it a secret?)



Are there any differences in meaning between these two?In everyday English, not really.

And if you want to use in place of 'Don't tell it to anyone.' or 'Keep it to your self.' , which would you use?
#2.
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CliveHi,

Please keep it secret. (Can you keep it secret?)

Please keep it a secret. (Can you keep it a secret?)



Are there any differences in meaning between these two?In everyday English, not really.

And if you want to use in place of 'Don't tell it to anyone.' or 'Keep it to your self.' ,
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Hi,

You crossed 'it' out in "Can you keep it a secret?". Does that mean it would not be correct to have 'it' there?, always?

I thought "Can you keep a secret?" simply means if it's possible not to tell the others, where "Can you keep it a secret?" refers to something specific and is similar to "Can you keep a secret about this?" in meaning. Have I being wrong? No, you're right.
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Thank you.
I understand.
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