kept in control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept in control" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the management or regulation of a situation, person, or object to ensure it remains orderly or within certain limits. Example: "The project was kept in control by regular meetings and updates to ensure everyone was on the same page."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

Mr Rudd must ensure, therefore, that wages and government spending are kept in control.

The Economist

In choroid plexus kept in control aCSF, [Na+] i was stable and did not undergo detectable fluctuations (Fig. 4b).

Nature

The Boston Bruins kept in control of the tight race for the Northeast Division title by beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0.

The Guardian - Sport

The downside of his sense of being an outsider was an inferiority complex kept in control by his ironic awareness of its being there.

The Guardian - Books

The International Diabetes Federation issued guidelines in September urging better control of glucose spikes after meals, saying there was evidence they could contribute to complications of diabetes even if average blood sugar levels were kept in control.

The New York Times

Generally the severe form proved unhealable and was only to be kept in control by surgery.

Insights into Imaging

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Animals were kept in controlled ambient conditions (Animal Experimentation Service, University of Salamanca, Spain) in a temperature-controlled room with a 12 h-12 h light-dark cycle and were reared on standard chow (Panlab, Barcelona, Spain) and water ad libitum.

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

This collection contains delicate negatives and prints which must be kept in carefully controlled conditions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Thirty-six male Wistar rats (weighing 256 ± 15 g) were kept in controlled-temperature conditions (23 °C) and maintained on a 12 12 h light dark cycle with free access to water and food.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

The cores analysed in this study were kept in controlled temperature conditions at about 20 °C from 1997.

Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta

If a person jumps onto the track the driver must react carefully and keep in control.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "kept in control", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being controlled and by whom. For example, "The project's budget was "kept in control" by the project manager."

Common error

Avoid using "kept in control" without specifying what aspects were managed. Be precise; instead of saying "Things were "kept in control", specify which metrics or elements were actively regulated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept in control" functions as a descriptive element, indicating a state of order, management, or regulation. It is used to specify that something is being actively managed to remain within certain parameters, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kept in control" is grammatically sound and functions to describe the act of maintaining order or regulation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While relatively rare, it appears across various domains such as news, science, and general writing, with neutral formality. To improve clarity, always specify what is being controlled. Alternative phrases include ""maintained under control"" and ""held in check"". Keep in mind that "kept in control" describes the continuous aspect of maintaining order and implies the action of making sure it is maintained.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintained under control

Replaces "kept" with "maintained", emphasizing ongoing effort to control.

held in check

Emphasizes restraint and prevention of unwanted actions.

remained in charge

Focuses on maintaining a position of authority and leadership.

stayed in command

Highlights the ability to give orders and have them followed.

preserved order

Emphasizes the outcome of maintaining control which is to ensure stability and organization.

exercised authority

Highlights the active use of power to maintain control.

managed effectively

Focuses on the skill and competence in maintaining control.

regulated carefully

Emphasizes the attention and precision in maintaining control.

curbed effectively

Highlights that something negative has been restricted.

reigned supreme

Emphasizes the absolute and unchallenged nature of control.

FAQs

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

You can use "kept in control" to describe the act of maintaining something within desired limits. For example, "The temperature was "maintained under control" to ensure the experiment's accuracy".

What are some alternatives to "kept in control"?

Alternatives include "held in check", "maintained under control", or "regulated carefully" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "maintain in control" instead of "kept in control"?

While "maintain in control" is understandable, "kept in control" is more idiomatic and grammatically standard. Consider using a phrase like ""maintained under control"" for a more formal tone.

What's the difference between "kept in control" and "under control"?

"Kept in control" implies a continuous effort to maintain order or regulation. "Under control" simply indicates that a situation is currently being managed effectively. For example, the situation was "under control" after the manager implemented a new procedure to ensure it's "kept in check".