keep from

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep from" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to express that someone or something does not engage in a particular action. For example, "She managed to keep from laughing when she saw him dressed as a clown."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He couldn't keep from smiling.

The New Yorker

"How do they keep from feeling hopeless?

The New Yorker

The waiters could not keep from laughing.

The New York Times - Magazine

I blinked to keep from blubbering.

The New York Times

What secrets do we keep from ourselves?

The New Yorker

How Do Animals Keep from Getting Lost?

The New Yorker

I take the pill to keep from getting ill.

Harvard University

"We were looking for a way to keep from desperation".

The New York Times

Williams had to turn her back to keep from smirking.

The New York Times - Sports

Nathalie couldn't keep from picturing what was below it.

The New Yorker

They know the tricks to keep from getting traced".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "keep from", ensure the sentence clearly indicates both the subject doing the preventing and the action being prevented.

Common error

Avoid using "keep from" when the intended meaning is simply a lack of action, rather than an active prevention. For instance, say "I didn't laugh" instead of "I kept from laughing" if there was no urge to laugh in the first place.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep from" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating the act of restraining or preventing someone or something from performing an action or experiencing an emotion. Ludwig shows many examples where this is used in personal contexts such as "I had to purse my lips to keep from crying".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

29%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep from" is a versatile verb phrase used to express restraint, prevention, or avoidance of an action or emotion. Ludwig AI's analysis and examples confirm that this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While neutral in register, it's crucial to ensure the context accurately reflects an active effort to prevent something, rather than a simple lack of action. By following the guidelines and considering alternative phrases, writers can effectively and accurately use "keep from" in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevent oneself from

Directly states the act of preventing oneself from doing something.

stop oneself from

Similar to "prevent oneself from", but with a slightly more active connotation of halting an action.

refrain from

This alternative uses a more formal verb, "refrain", which implies a deliberate act of self-control.

hold back from

This phrase emphasizes the effort required to restrain oneself or someone else.

avoid doing

This phrase replaces "keep from" with a more general term, "avoid", focusing on preventing the action itself.

resist the urge to

Highlights the internal struggle against a desire or impulse.

suppress the desire to

Focuses on actively suppressing an internal desire or urge.

abstain from

A more formal and often moralistic way to express refraining from something, particularly something enjoyable or tempting.

inhibit oneself from

Uses a more technical term, "inhibit", suggesting a restriction on one's behavior or emotions.

desist from

Implies a more forceful stopping of an action, often used in legal or formal contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "keep from" in a sentence?

Use "keep from" to describe the act of preventing someone or something from doing something. For example, "I had to purse my lips to "keep from crying"."

What can I say instead of "keep from"?

You can use alternatives like "refrain from", "avoid doing", or "prevent oneself from" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "keep from laughing" or "keep to laugh"?

"Keep from laughing" is correct. "Keep to laugh" is not a standard English construction and doesn't convey the intended meaning of restraining oneself.

What's the difference between "keep from" and "prevent from"?

While similar, "keep from" often implies a personal effort to restrain oneself, whereas "prevent from" can refer to external forces stopping something. For example, "I had to keep from laughing" versus "The rain prevented us from going to the beach".