kept it at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept it at" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate maintaining a certain level or amount of something, often in a context of control or limitation. Example: "Despite the challenges, we kept it at a manageable level throughout the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

Throughout the summer and fall of 2001, even though its credit was rapidly deteriorating, the rating agencies kept it at investment grade.

The New York Times - Magazine

Quite simply, I kept it at a distance.

The Guardian

She had prepared and served the rice the day before and kept it at room temperature.

The New York Times - Food

He thought the shirt might be in bad taste, so he kept it at home.

The New York Times

We started out with a one-hundred-watt box, but we kept it at ten".

The New Yorker

But a bit of luck kept it at 0-0 too – especially in the first half.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

We keep it at 30 seconds.

Independent

I keep it at my bedside.

The New York Times - Health

"How do I keep it at bay?

Independent

Keep it at Google.

TechCrunch

We keep it at constant temperature 4 °C.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "kept it at" to clearly express the act of maintaining a specific level, value, or condition. This is useful in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "kept it to" when you mean to indicate a specific level or value. "Kept it at" is the correct construction for this purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept it at" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the maintenance of a specific level, position, or condition. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts ranging from finance (rating agencies) to physics (laser light). As Ludwig AI correctly indicates, it's grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "kept it at" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate maintaining something at a specific level, position, or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It is commonly found in news articles and scientific publications, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When writing, remember to use "at" to specify the intended level and avoid confusion with similar phrases. Alternatives like "maintained it at" or "held it at" can be used depending on the nuances you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintained it at

Focuses on the act of keeping something at a consistent level over a period of time.

held it at

Emphasizes preventing something from exceeding a certain limit or changing from a set value.

sustained it at

Highlights the effort required to keep something at a specific level, especially under challenging circumstances.

preserved it at

Implies protecting something from deterioration or loss while keeping it at a particular state.

retained it at

Focuses on keeping possession of something and preventing it from being lost or changed.

stabilized it at

Suggests bringing something to a steady state and preventing it from fluctuating.

controlled it at

Highlights the act of managing something to keep it within specified limits.

regulated it to

Implies using rules or guidelines to keep something at a specific standard or level.

capped it at

Focuses on setting an upper limit and preventing something from exceeding it.

limited it to

Emphasizes restricting something to a particular amount or extent.

FAQs

How can I use "kept it at" in a sentence?

You can use "kept it at" to describe maintaining something at a certain level or standard. For example, "The company "kept it at" a manageable level despite the challenges."

What are some alternatives to "kept it at"?

Alternatives include phrases like "maintained it at", "held it at", or "sustained it at", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "kept it to" instead of "kept it at"?

No, "kept it to" is not the correct phrase when you intend to convey maintaining something at a particular level. The correct phrase is ""kept it at"".

What's the difference between "kept it at bay" and "kept it at"?

"Kept it at bay" means to prevent something from approaching or affecting you, while ""kept it at"" means to maintain something at a specific level or condition. For example, "Immunotherapy has "kept it at bay" for years", versus "The judge "kept it at" $1 million".