be withheld to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be withheld to" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression would typically be "be withheld from." Example: "The information will be withheld from the public until further notice."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

(He asked that his last name be withheld to protect him and his family from retaliation).

The New York Times

Moyad asked that his surname be withheld to protect his relatives from retaliation.

The New York Times

(The authority asked that the man's name be withheld to protect the children's privacy).

The New York Times

Mr. Touré said operators' identities would be withheld to help prevent such problems.

The New York Times - Tech

The mother asked that her name be withheld to protect her daughter's privacy.

The New York Times

He asked for his full name to be withheld to protect family members still inside Libya.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

His full name was withheld to protect his family.

The New York Times

*Full names have been withheld to protect the witnesses.

The Guardian

*Sam's name has been withheld to protect his identity.

The Guardian

The names of the students were withheld to protect them from retaliation.

The New York Times

(Her last name has been withheld to protect her family's privacy).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "be withheld from" instead of "be withheld to". The preposition "from" is correct in this context, indicating the recipient from whom something is being kept.

Common error

Avoid using "to" after "withheld". The correct preposition is "from". For example, say "Information was withheld from the public", not "Information was withheld to the public".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be withheld to" is typically intended to function as a passive construction where something is kept back or restricted. However, this specific construction is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that the correct phrasing is "be withheld from".

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be withheld to" is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI clearly points out, the correct preposition to use with "withheld" is "from". Therefore, the proper phrasing is "be withheld from", indicating that something is being kept back from someone or something. It's crucial to avoid "to" in this context to maintain grammatical accuracy. Always opt for alternatives like "be kept from" or "be restricted from" to ensure clarity and correctness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be withheld from

Changes the preposition to "from", which is grammatically correct.

be kept from

Replaces "withheld" with "kept", using a simpler verb and maintaining the correct preposition.

be restricted from

Uses "restricted" to convey a similar meaning with a slightly different nuance.

be excluded from

Emphasizes the act of exclusion, focusing on preventing access.

be denied to

Highlights the act of refusing access or provision.

not be given to

Uses a more direct and active voice to convey the withholding of something.

be blocked from

Implies an obstruction or barrier preventing access.

be concealed from

Focuses on hiding information or objects.

be protected from

Highlights the purpose of withholding as a means of protection.

be exempted from

Suggests a specific exception from a general rule or requirement.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "withheld" in a sentence?

The correct phrasing is "withheld from", as in "The information was "withheld from" the public".

Is it grammatically correct to say "be withheld to"?

No, it is not grammatically correct. The correct preposition to use with "withheld" is "from". Therefore, the correct phrase is "be withheld from".

What can I say instead of "be withheld to"?

Use "be withheld from", "be kept from", or "be restricted from" instead.

What is the difference between "be withheld to" and "be withheld from"?

"Be withheld to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "be withheld from", which means to keep something secret from someone or something.