Cool MateContain vs Keep this between ourselves
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Contain
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Keep this between ourselves
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: ContainMost common: Contain
| Contain | Keep this between ourselves | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kənˈteɪn/","/kənˈteɪnz/","/kənˈteɪnd/","/kənˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈteɪn/","/kənˈteɪnz/","/kənˈteɪnd/","/kənˈteɪnɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //kiːp ðɪs bɪˈtwiːn ɔːrˈsɛlvz//🇺🇸 //kip ðɪs bɪˈtwin aʊərˈsɛlvz// |
| Meaning | To hold or keep something inside. | Don't tell others about this. |
| Example | The box can contain many toys. | Keep this between ourselves; I don’t want others to know. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | contain a substance, contain feelings, contain information, contain an outbreak, contain a fire | keep it secret, keep it quiet, between friends, between colleagues, between family |
| Antonyms | release, exclude, free | - |
| Common mistakes | 'Contain' is often confused with 'include' — understanding the difference in implying limits is key., Some learners may forget to use 'contain' with proper objects., Mistakenly using 'contained' as an intransitive verb. | Using 'ourselves' instead of 'us' in more formal contexts., Confusing with 'keep it to myself' which implies secrecy for one instead of a group., Translating directly into other languages may confuse the phrase's informal tone. |
| Usage notes | Use 'contain' when discussing physical objects, substances, or abstract concepts like emotions. It's not typically used for non-physical situations. | Used among friends or close peers; not suitable for formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Contain vs Keep this between ourselves
What's the difference between Contain and Keep this between ourselves?
Contain: To hold or keep something inside. Keep this between ourselves: Don't tell others about this.
Which is more formal: Contain and Keep this between ourselves?
Contain is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Contain and Keep this between ourselves?
Contain is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Contain: The box can contain many toys. Keep this between ourselves: Keep this between ourselves; I don’t want others to know.
Can I use Contain and Keep this between ourselves interchangeably?
Not always. Contain and Keep this between ourselves are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.