kept away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept away" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something being prevented from coming close or being in a particular place. Example: "The dog was kept away from the children to ensure their safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Owners are kept away.

The New York Times

He kept away too long.

The New York Times

The children were kept away.

The New York Times

Our local journalists were kept away.

The New York Times

Smudge pots kept away the mosquitoes.

The New York Times

"I've kept away from it ever since".

The New York Times - Food

She has kept away from the sun for years.

The New Yorker

The Swabians had kept away from the Fritzlar election.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Forty-five members were arrested, and 186 were kept away.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Most of the political stuff was kept away from me".

Independent

After that the boys kept away from the dentist's office.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "kept away", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the keeping and from whom or what something is being kept. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid sentences where it's unclear who or what is doing the "keeping". Ensure the subject performing the action is explicitly stated to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept away" functions as a verb phrase, typically part of a passive construction. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, demonstrating its role in indicating prevention or avoidance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

24%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "kept away" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of preventing something or someone from approaching or accessing something else. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability, indicating it's grammatically sound and commonly used across diverse contexts. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Wiki, exhibiting a neutral to formal register. When writing, it is important to clearly identify who or what is doing the "keeping" to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include phrases like "stayed away" or "avoided contact", each with slight differences in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stayed away

Focuses on the act of remaining at a distance, differing in tense.

remained distant

Highlights the maintenance of a distance, emphasizing a lack of closeness.

avoided contact

Emphasizes the action of preventing interaction or physical proximity.

steered clear of

Suggests a deliberate action to avoid something, often implying a potential danger or unpleasantness.

held back from

Implies restraint or prevention from approaching or engaging.

excluded from

Highlights the act of being barred or not allowed to participate.

maintained separation

Focuses on the active effort to keep things or people separate.

warded off

Implies preventing something undesirable from approaching.

held at bay

Suggests keeping something or someone at a distance, often in a defensive manner.

isolated from

Emphasizes the state of being separated and alone.

FAQs

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

You can use "kept away" to describe someone or something being prevented from approaching or being in a certain place. For instance, "The children were "kept away" from the construction site for safety reasons."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "kept away"?

Alternatives include phrases like "stayed away", "remained distant", or "avoided contact", each carrying slightly different nuances.

Which is correct: "kept away from" or "kept away of"?

"Kept away from" is the correct and standard usage. "Kept away of" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided.

What's the difference between "kept away" and "held back"?

"Kept away" generally implies preventing someone or something from approaching or accessing a place or thing. "Held back" suggests restraint or prevention from progressing or advancing. The choice depends on the specific context.