kept in lead

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept in lead" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey the idea of being held or contained in a specific material, but it is not a commonly used expression. Example: "The documents were kept in lead containers for safety reasons."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The uranium was kept in lead containers.

Independent

Graziano and Blum (1991) performed an experiment in which port wine containing 89 μg/L lead was kept in lead crystal decanters.

Environmental Health Perspectives

The lead concentration in crystal glassware is often 25 30%; it has been shown that wine kept in lead crystal glass containers for a long time may contain a considerable amount of lead.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Her papers are kept in lead-lined boxes, and those who wish to consult them must wear protective clothing.

Wikipedia

They were kept in Star Chamber, before being led into Westminster Hall.

Wikipedia

The specimens are stored in formalin solution in separate containers and kept in a lead box in the pathology laboratory until ready for processing.

British Journal of Cancer

This requires that a history of frames should be kept in memory, which can lead to high memory requirements.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

This is a sequel to parliamentary elections in Sri Lanka in October, which kept in office the party led by President Chandrika Kumaratunga, and to a meeting between Mr Prabhakaran and a Norwegian peace envoy.

The Economist

These chickens had been kept in areas with maximum soil lead concentrations of 600 ppm.

Environmental Health Perspectives

In these units, animals are kept in specific conditions that could lead to an overestimation of tests specificity.

BMC Veterinary Research

Members of US Congress have expressed similar consternation about being kept in the dark; this has led to a vigorous debate and forced Barack Obama to initiate a review.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing storage, consider using more common and readily understood phrases such as "stored in lead containers" or "contained in lead-lined boxes" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "kept in lead" as a general expression for 'maintained' or 'preserved'. It is more specific to physical containment. Use alternative phrasing appropriate for the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept in lead" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often describing the location or storage method of an object. This usage is supported by Ludwig, which shows examples where the phrase indicates containment. However, its infrequency suggests limited applications.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kept in lead" is an uncommon expression primarily used to describe storage within a lead container, often for protection. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's not a standard phrase, suggesting that alternatives like ""stored in lead"" are preferred for clarity and common usage. The phrase is found in news, scientific, and wiki sources, indicating a neutral to formal tone. While grammatically understandable, its rarity makes it less suitable for general contexts. Therefore, consider alternative phrasing for improved clarity and acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stored in lead

Replaces "kept" with "stored", emphasizing the action of placing something for preservation.

held in lead

A more direct synonym, replacing "kept" with "held".

contained within lead

Uses "contained within" to highlight the enclosure aspect of the lead material.

housed in lead

Suggests a protective or sheltering function of the lead.

enclosed in lead

Focuses on the act of surrounding or wrapping with lead.

encased in lead

Highlights the complete covering or encapsulation by lead.

preserved in lead

Emphasizes the preservation aspect of using lead as a container.

protected by lead

Shifts the focus to the protective qualities of lead.

secured in lead

Implies that the lead is used to safely secure something.

confined in lead

Suggests a more restrictive containment within the lead.

FAQs

What does "kept in lead" mean?

The phrase "kept in lead" generally refers to storing something inside a container made of lead, often for protection from radiation or other external factors. However, "stored in lead" is a more common way to phrase it.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "kept in lead"?

It's appropriate when you specifically mean something is physically stored or contained within lead. For instance, "radioactive materials are "stored in lead containers"."

Are there better alternatives to "kept in lead"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like ""stored in lead"", "contained in lead", or "protected by lead".

Is "kept in lead" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly grammatically incorrect, "kept in lead" is not a commonly used phrase. It may sound awkward to native English speakers. Using alternatives such as "stored in lead" is generally preferred.