Grammar fix
keep a secret
not tell
to not tell anyone information that someone has asked you to keep private.
collocationB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
Can you keep a secret? I have something important to tell you.
If a friend trusts me, I always try to keep their secrets because I think honesty and trust are important in relationships.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: Can you hold a secret?
Say: Can you keep a secret?
You KEEP a secret — not 'hold' one.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Keep a secret' is natural; 'maintain confidentiality of information' is corporate.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
keep a secret
- keep
- tell
- a big
- between us