kept in check

USAGE SUMMARY

"kept in check" is a correct and usable phrase in written English and is generally used to mean that something is being restrained or controlled.
For example: "The government is trying to keep inflation in check by increasing interest rates."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Expectations are kept in check.

The New York Times

The emotions are kept in check.

The New York Times

The Seahawks were kept in check for 57 minutes.

The New York Times

Population numbers have historically been kept in check through hunting.

Columbia University

The disorder was kept in check through diet and drugs.

The New York Times

The instinct to intervene has to be kept in check.

The Guardian - Film

Is male aggression kept in check by females?

The New Yorker

The two forwards got tangled up in the third, although tempers were kept in check.

The New York Times - Sports

Sectarian feelings have been kept in check, thanks largely to the Shia and Kurdish leaders.

The Economist

Inflation has been kept in check, the European Central Bank's primary objective.

The New York Times

Also, women are corruptible and best kept in check by a strong masculine hand.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts like inflation or emotions, use "kept in check" to convey the idea of regulation and control. For example, "The central bank's policies are designed to keep inflation in check."

Common error

While "kept in check" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. In informal settings, simpler terms like "controlled" or "managed" may sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept in check" functions as a modifier, often describing a noun or situation that is being controlled or restrained. Ludwig AI indicates its common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

11%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kept in check" is a versatile expression used to describe the act of controlling or restraining something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent usage across diverse contexts, particularly in news and academic writing. While highly common, it's advisable to consider simpler alternatives in informal settings to maintain a natural tone. The phrase functions primarily as a modifier and serves to convey regulation or limitation. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability in formal discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

held in restraint

Focuses on the act of physically or figuratively holding something back from exceeding certain limits.

held under control

Emphasizes maintaining command or regulation over something to prevent it from becoming unmanageable.

moderated

Highlights the process of reducing intensity or extremes to keep something balanced.

curbed

Suggests restricting or restraining something, often an undesirable impulse or activity.

restrained

Implies a deliberate effort to control one's emotions or actions, or to limit the freedom of someone else.

suppressed

Indicates forcefully preventing something from being expressed or from developing.

reined in

Uses a metaphor of controlling a horse to suggest bringing something under stricter management.

governed

Focuses on the systematic regulation and direction of something, ensuring it adheres to rules or laws.

managed

Highlights the skill of handling or directing something effectively to achieve a desired outcome.

limited

Emphasizes setting a restriction on the quantity, size, or extent of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "kept in check" to describe something that is being controlled or restrained. For example, "The government is working to keep spending in check" or "Her anger was kept in check during the meeting".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "kept in check"?

Alternatives to "kept in check" include phrases like "held in restraint", "held under control", or "moderated", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "keep in check" or "kept in check"?

The choice between "keep in check" and "kept in check" depends on the tense of the sentence. Use "keep in check" for present or future actions (e.g., "We must keep our expenses in check"), and "kept in check" for past actions (e.g., "Expenses were kept in check last quarter").

What's the difference between "kept in check" and "suppressed"?

"Kept in check" implies controlled or restrained, while "suppressed" suggests forcefully preventing something from being expressed or developing. For example, "emotions were kept in check" versus "dissent was suppressed".