I kept away from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I kept away from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the act of avoiding someone or something intentionally. Example: "I kept away from the crowded areas to maintain social distancing during the pandemic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Arts

Travel

Opinion

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

So I kept away from Pina Bausch and her ilk.

The New York Times

I kept away from him my attempts to reach the London editors.

The Guardian - Books

And so before I left, I kept away from the naysayers.

The New York Times - Travel

In a message posted on Facebook, one of the Israelis who plans to attend wrote: For years, I kept away from politics like the plague.

The New York Times

Buffeted and wind-whipped, I kept away from the edge of the cliffs, just glimpsing the terrifying, sheer drop to an angry washingmachine-cycle far below.

Independent

I kept away from there until Thursday, when Yo-Yo Ma played Haydn and Vivaldi concertos with the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra at Alice Tully Hall.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Today I keep away from them".

The New York Times - Arts

I keep away from parked cars, fearing I'll be "doored".

The Guardian - Opinion

It is with a very positive sense that I keep away from the work for a while.

The Guardian - Film

To minimize online distractions, I keep away from the classic time sucks (Twitter, e-mail, chat, aimless Wikipedia surfing), and I'm generally successful at that.

The New York Times

Generally, I keep away from fiction or movies about the end of the world, even if it's just about the end of the world "as we know it".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I kept away from" to clearly express a deliberate choice to avoid something or someone. Consider the context to ensure the level of formality is appropriate, as it is generally suitable for both informal and neutral writing.

Common error

While "I kept away from" is acceptable in many situations, in highly formal or academic writing, consider more sophisticated alternatives like "I refrained from" or "I abstained from" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I kept away from" functions as a verb phrase indicating avoidance. As shown by Ludwig, it suggests a conscious decision to distance oneself from something or someone. The examples provide clear indications that the user actively avoids an action, a place or a person.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Arts

10%

Less common in

Travel

10%

Opinion

5%

Books

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I kept away from" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe the action of consciously avoiding something or someone. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and shows its prevalence across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific writing. While suitable for most situations, consider more formal alternatives like "I refrained from" in academic or professional settings. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in conveying the reason for avoidance, which may be to prevent an action, situation, person or place. Its neutral register makes it widely applicable, but always tailor your language to suit the specific audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I avoided

Implies a direct action to steer clear of something; more concise.

I steered clear of

Emphasizes navigating around something, often implying potential danger or unpleasantness.

I stayed away from

Similar to "I kept away from", but perhaps suggesting a more temporary separation.

I kept my distance from

Highlights maintaining a separation, whether physical or emotional.

I distanced myself from

Highlights emotional or social separation; more formal.

I refrained from

Indicates a conscious decision to abstain from something, often a temptation or action.

I shunned

Suggests a deliberate and often social avoidance, sometimes with a moral or ethical dimension.

I evaded

Implies skillful or strategic avoidance, possibly of something difficult or dangerous.

I skirted

Suggests moving around the edge of something, avoiding direct engagement.

I gave a wide berth to

Emphasizes creating significant physical distance from something.

FAQs

What does "I kept away from" mean?

The phrase "I kept away from" means that you deliberately avoided something or someone. It implies a conscious decision to maintain distance.

What are some synonyms for "I kept away from"?

You can use alternatives like "I avoided", "I stayed away from", or "I distanced myself from" depending on the context.

How can I use "I kept away from" in a sentence?

Example: "I kept away from the crowded areas to avoid getting sick."

Is "I kept away from" formal or informal?

The phrase "I kept away from" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both informal and some formal contexts. However, for highly formal writing, consider using phrases like "I refrained from".