KEEP SILENCE 還是 KEEP SILENT?

其一：

KEEP SILENCE （動詞＋名詞）保持沉默

聖經詩篇中有："Let all mortal flesh keep silence."

傳道書 Ecclesiastes 3:7 "A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak."

以上的引述不代表 keep silence 是過時的用法。在使用上，keep silence 約是 break silence （打破沉默）的 反義詞，類似的句型還有 keep vigilance（保持警戒）、keep confidence（保持信心）...等。

在 keep silence 片語中插入所有格會使意思更清楚，如：

He chose to keep his silence on this matter.

他選擇對此事件保持沉默。


其二：

KEEP SILENT （動詞＋形容詞補語）保持安靜、保持沉默

連綴動詞 (如：appear, seem, become, grow, turn, prove, remain)，為反映動詞所呈現的狀態，後面接形容詞補語。此類句型，大家應該不陌生了.

與 keep silent 類似的句型還有：keep fit (保持健康/健美）、keep alert（保持警戒）...等。

雖然在文法上 keep silent 完全可以成立，也有人使用。但在現實生活口語上，似乎常為 "keep quiet"、“remain silent" 所取代。

“Wise men, when in doubt whether to speak or to keep quiet, give themselves the benefit of the doubt, and remain silent.” ～Napoleon Hill (American author, 1883-1970)

愛看美國警匪劇的觀衆，想必對美國警察逮捕犯人之前必宣讀的米蘭達權利 "Miranda Right" 耳熟能詳：

"You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law. You have the right to an attorney. If you cannot afford an attorney, one will be appointed to you..."

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