Cool MateKeep them close vs Stay close to
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Keep them close
Top 2,000 (common)
Stay close to
Top 1,000 (very common)
Most common: Stay close to
| Keep them close | Stay close to | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kiːp ðɛm kloʊs//🇺🇸 //kip ðɛm kloʊs// | 🇬🇧 //steɪ kloʊs tə//🇺🇸 //steɪ kloʊs tə// |
| Meaning | Stay near someone or something. | to remain near someone or something |
| Example | In difficult times, it's important to keep them close. | It's safest to stay close to the group during the hike. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | keep them close, keep someone close, keep things close | stay close to family, stay close to friends, stay close to home, stay close to the action |
| Antonyms | keep them distant, push away, alienate | stay away from, leave |
| Common mistakes | Using 'keep them close' instead of 'keep it close' when referring to a singular object., Confusing 'keep them close' with 'hold them close', which has slightly different implications. | Confused with 'stay away from' which means the opposite., Used incorrectly with inanimate objects, instead of people or living things., Omitting 'to' and just saying 'stay close' which can sound incomplete. |
| Usage notes | Used in various contexts, such as relationships or protecting things. Avoid in overly formal writing. | Commonly used in both spoken and written contexts. Appropriate for assuring safety or expressing affection. Less formal than 'maintain proximity.' |
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Frequently asked questions: Keep them close vs Stay close to
What's the difference between Keep them close and Stay close to?
Keep them close: Stay near someone or something. Stay close to: to remain near someone or something
Which is more common: Keep them close and Stay close to?
Stay close to is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Keep them close: In difficult times, it's important to keep them close. Stay close to: It's safest to stay close to the group during the hike.
Can I use Keep them close and Stay close to interchangeably?
Not always. Keep them close and Stay close to 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.