keep them behind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep them behind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that someone or something should remain in a position that is not in front or ahead of others. Example: "During the meeting, we decided to keep them behind the closed doors until we were ready to present our findings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

"Is their offense so publicly dangerous to keep them behind bars?

The New York Times

That's why many booksellers keep them behind the counter, where the pornography used to be.

The New York Times

Dresser pieces were meant to be used, and few collectors keep them behind glass.

The New York Times

So why is the state spending large sums to keep them behind bars?

The Guardian - Opinion

But if Germans have doubts about Russia, they tend for the most part to keep them behind closed doors.

The New York Times

Neither will be tried here, as their kidnapping sentences ought to keep them behind the bars until they die.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

The men, rulers of the now-defunct Cali cartel, had been in prison since 1995, when they were sentenced to terms that would have kept them behind bars until at least 2010.

The New York Times

Ive's team had been working on MP3 player prototypes for years before Jobs's return, but kept them behind closed doors until a tiny hard drive was available.

The Guardian - Tech

They flipped it around with the iMac, and that was the product that completely changed the engineering culture". Ive's team had been working on MP3 player prototypes for years before Jobs's return, but kept them behind closed doors until a tiny hard drive was available.

The Guardian - Tech

She kept them behind glass doors on four rows of recessed shelves above her dining-room table.

Vice

And we as a community need to figure out what we're going to do to keep them from behind the wheel". Post and others are pushing state legislators to pass a law that would allow courts to seize the cars of some repeat drunk drivers.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep them behind" when you want to emphasize maintaining a specific positioning or preventing advancement.

Common error

Avoid using "keep them behind" when the intention is to support or encourage progress. This phrase implies a degree of hindering or maintaining a status quo.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep them behind" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "keep" is the main verb and "them behind" acts as its complement, specifying the desired state or position. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is both correct and widely applicable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep them behind" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that communicates the intention to maintain separation or prevent advancement. As indicated by Ludwig AI, its usage is correct and applicable across various contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media, it also appears in academic and Wiki sources. While it maintains a neutral tone, it's important to consider the specific context to ensure the intended meaning aligns with the phrase's inherent implication of hindering or maintaining a status quo. Alternatives like "hold them back" or "restrain them" may offer nuanced alternatives depending on the specific message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold them back

Focuses on preventing progress or advancement, similar to keeping someone or something behind.

restrain them

Highlights the act of controlling or limiting movement, which implies keeping them in a specific position.

detain them

Emphasizes holding someone temporarily, often against their will.

impede their progress

Specifically addresses hindering advancement or development.

make them lag

Suggests causing someone or something to fall behind in terms of speed or progress.

ensure they remain distant

Focuses on maintaining a separation or gap.

prevent their advancement

Specifically targets stopping forward movement or promotion.

keep them at bay

Suggests warding off or preventing someone or something from approaching.

force them to trail

Implies compelling someone to follow behind.

maintain their disadvantaged position

Highlights the act of preserving an inferior or unfavorable state.

FAQs

How can I use "keep them behind" in a sentence?

You can use "keep them behind" to describe maintaining someone or something in a trailing position, like "The strategy was to "keep them behind" the front lines".

What's a good alternative to "keep them behind"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives like "hold them back" if you mean preventing advancement, or "restrain them" if it's about limiting movement.

Is "keep them behind" formal or informal?

"Keep them behind" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "impede their progress".

How does "keep them behind" differ from "leave them behind"?

"Keep them behind" suggests an active effort to maintain separation, whereas "leave them behind" implies abandonment or a passive falling behind.