kept him from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept him from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone was prevented from doing something or that something was a barrier to their action. Example: "The heavy rain kept him from attending the outdoor concert."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Asthma kept him from playing football.

The New York Times - Sports

which kept him from competition for months.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His nearsightedness kept him from military service.

The New Yorker

It hasn't kept him from doing anything.

The New York Times

Something about this kept him from retreating.

The New Yorker

Only Posada's history, it seems, kept him from being disciplined.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, this hasn't kept him from writing about the future.

The New Yorker

His TB kept him from the funeral, too.

The New York Times - Health

Some kind of hypercriticality kept him from doing so.

The New Yorker

– kept him from completing books of his own.

The Guardian - Books

But his civil rights work kept him from the stage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add nuance, consider using synonyms like "prevented", "stopped", or "hindered" to vary your writing style.

Common error

Ensure that the subject and object of the phrase are clearly defined. Avoid vague language that could leave the reader uncertain about who was kept from doing what. For instance, instead of saying "Circumstances kept him from it", specify "Financial circumstances kept him from buying the house".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept him from" functions as a verbal phrase indicating prevention or hindrance. As Ludwig AI shows, it connects a cause (the reason for prevention) with an effect (the inability to perform an action).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

15%

Arts

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1.67%

Wiki

3.33%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kept him from" is a versatile and frequently used expression to denote prevention or hindrance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and its prevalence in various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While it maintains a neutral tone suitable for both formal and informal settings, consider alternatives such as "prevented him from" for a more formal approach or when greater emphasis is needed. Ensure clarity by specifying both the subject and the cause when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevented him from

This alternative uses a more direct and formal verb to convey the same meaning of stopping someone from doing something.

stopped him from

This option employs a simpler and more common verb to express the act of hindering or preventing.

hindered him from

This suggests a more significant obstacle or impediment that made it difficult for him to do something.

deterred him from

This implies that he was discouraged or dissuaded from taking a particular action.

discouraged him from

Similar to "deterred", this suggests that he lost the motivation or inclination to do something.

restrained him from

This indicates a deliberate act of holding him back or controlling his actions.

dissuaded him from

This means someone convinced him not to do something, often through reasoning or persuasion.

impeded him from

This suggests something slowed down his progress or made it more difficult for him to achieve something.

blocked him from

This indicates a complete obstruction or barrier that prevented him from proceeding.

inhibit him from

Suggests a more subtle or internal restraint that limited his ability to act or express himself.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to using "kept him from"?

You can use alternatives like "prevented him from", "stopped him from", or "hindered him from" depending on the specific context.

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

Use "kept him from" to indicate that something or someone prevented a male person from doing something. For example, "His illness kept him from attending the meeting."

Is "kept him from" formal or informal?

The phrase "kept him from" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in more formal writing, you might consider using "prevented him from".

What's the difference between "kept him from" and "prevented him from"?

While both phrases have similar meanings, "prevented him from" is often considered slightly more formal and emphatic than "kept him from". The choice depends on the tone and style of your writing.