kept in a circle vs kept within a circle

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'Kept in a circle' implies being physically inside a circle, while 'kept within a circle' can refer to being inside a circle in a more abstract or metaphorical sense. The choice between the two depends on the specific context and the intended meaning.

Last updated: April 03, 2024 • 164 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used to indicate being physically inside a circle.

"kept in a circle"

This phrase is used when referring to something or someone being physically enclosed by a circle or staying within the boundaries of a circle.

Examples:

The children were kept in a circle during the game.
The sheep were kept in a circle by the shepherd.
The dancers were kept in a circle by holding hands.
The audience was kept in a circle around the performers.
The cars were kept in a circle to block the road.

Show examples from the web [+]

He kept the circle tight and left the rest of us holding the bag.
Sparks kept a very tight circle of people in the know.
Sparks kept a very tight circle of people in the know.
And there's this famous example of one that was 1,200 feet long and lasted for two days, and the ants just kept marching around and around in a circle until they died.
They just kept going in a big círcle.
And this is one of those, it's not true that they're kept in the darkness for 18 years, but they are kept within the confines of the ceremonial men's circle for 18 years.
The peasants made a circle around K.
A circle means a sad horn melody.
Measures a specified angle within a circle.
A circle dance typical to Catalunya region.
One could also draw a circle.
A circle cannot decide his fate.
The people are kept in poverty, illiteracy and backwardness.
A journal our father kept in prison.
Worms should be preferably kept in permanent laboratory culture.
Similar to chickens and turkeys kept in confinement, these fish get infections.
Consequently, the applicant was kept in a prison.
Most of the colonists were kept in cryogenic suspension.
The remains are kept in pressure sealed plastic bags.
Nobody kept in touch with me.

Alternatives:

kept inside a circle
kept within the circle
kept enclosed by a circle
kept surrounded by a circle
kept contained in a circle

This phrase is correct and can be used to indicate being inside a circle in a more abstract or metaphorical sense.

"kept within a circle"

This phrase is used when referring to something or someone being metaphorically enclosed by a circle or staying within the boundaries of a circle in a non-physical way.

Examples:

The team was kept within a circle of trust.
Her thoughts were kept within a circle of close friends.
The discussion was kept within a circle of experts.
The project was kept within a circle of secrecy.
The information was kept within a circle of confidentiality.

Show examples from the web [+]

Measures a specified angle within a circle.
All this completely kept within a framework of the concept of the policy pursued by the imperial authorities in Belarus and Lithuania.
She therefore recommended a formal opportunity for comments from the referring judge even though she realised this went against the speeding up of the procedure and should therefore be kept within a very short time-frame.
For this reason average charges for access to the network in Member States should be kept within a range which helps to ensure that the benefits of harmonisation are realised.
All transmitters and receivers must be within a circle of 500 meters in diameter.
Three angelic tear-shaped forms within a circle.
Note the similarity to the symbol of Baal from Hatzor: a cross within a circle.
A small part of the periphery within a circle of radius 10 km from the second outbreak, north of the town.
That part of Füzesgyarmat town and its periphery (located in Békés County) within a circle of 3 kilometres radius centred on point Latitude 47.1256 and Longitude 21.1875.
Figure T consists of three interlinked triangles, each one of a different colour, arranged within a circle; and it represents three triads of concepts.
And this is one of those, it's not true that they're kept in the darkness for 18 years, but they are kept within the confines of the ceremonial men's circle for 18 years.
If it's my day to die, I want to do it here, within a circle.
Area comprising that part of the counties of Oxfordshire and Warwickshire on the boundary of and within a circle of radius 10,215 kilometres, centred on grid reference SP3641242196 [2].
Small commune near Baschi, Alviano is a picturesque village of characteristic medieval look situated within a circle of hills in a beautiful panoramic position over... more
According to the Law (Article 19(1)(a)), "private use" means copies made by individuals for their own personal use or for use within a circle of close friends and relatives.
The Commission considers that the geographic area where the originally intended transaction may have affected the conditions of competition lies within a circle with a radius of about 500 km around the original Target's production facilities (hereinafter referred to as the affected area).
If I draw a circle, roughly, within a five-mile radius of that centre point, our man is in there, so how do we flush him out?
He believed magical learning should be kept within all-magic families.
We'd prefer it if all the dialogue was kept within the clinic.
Of the treasures are meant to be Kept within the clans.

Alternatives:

kept inside a circle
kept in a circle
kept enclosed by a circle
kept surrounded by a circle
kept contained in a circle

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kept in a circle vs kept within a circle

"kept in a circle"

"kept within a circle"

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