kept it from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "kept it from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone prevented something from happening or concealed information from someone else. Example: "She kept it from her parents that she had failed the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, damming and channeling the river has kept it from reaching its natural sediment sources along most of its course.

Wikipedia

Its tight margin rules kept it from losing even a dime.

Forbes

Its inability to deal with frost has kept it from becoming establishing in areas north of Central Florida.

Columbia University

Rank snobbery should have kept it from captivating the rarefied international film festival world, and its six-hour length should have kept it from American or Italian theatrical release.

Los Angeles Times

"I kept it from my parents.

The New York Times

For months, she kept it from the boys.

The New York Times

Only old tracks kept it from going faster.

The New York Times

So, she, I believe, single handedly kept it from becoming law.

University of California, Berkeley

Weights attached to ropes kept it from falling into the Thames.

The Guardian

Again and again, Sony's desire to control everything kept it from controlling anything.

The New Yorker

He reported it the next day to Mr. Paterno, who kept it from the police.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider if a more specific verb would better convey the intended nuance. For instance, "shielded it from" emphasizes protection, while "concealed it from" highlights secrecy.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions after "kept". The correct form is "kept it from". Alternatives like "kept it to" or "kept it with" are grammatically incorrect and change the meaning entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "kept it from" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as part of a verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is typically used to indicate the prevention of an action or the concealment of information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kept it from" is a versatile prepositional phrase frequently used to express the idea of preventing something or concealing information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage across various contexts. It appears most often in News & Media, Academia, and Encyclopedias. When writing, be mindful of the context and consider whether a more specific verb would enhance clarity. While alternatives like "prevented it from" or "concealed it from" may be suitable substitutions, always ensure the preposition "from" is correctly used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prevented it from

Emphasizes the action of stopping something from happening.

stopped it from

Similar to "prevented", but can imply a more abrupt or forceful halt.

protected it from

Suggests a shielding action, guarding against harm.

shielded it from

Similar to "protected", emphasizing a barrier or defense.

concealed it from

Focuses on hiding or keeping something secret.

hid it from

A more direct and simple way of saying "concealed it from".

preserved it from

Suggests maintaining something in its current state by avoiding negative influences.

guarded it against

Implies vigilance and active defense against a specific threat.

restrained it from

Highlights the act of holding something back or controlling its movement.

deterred it from

Indicates discouraging something through fear or doubt.

FAQs

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

You can use "kept it from" to indicate that someone prevented something from happening or concealed information. For example, "She "kept it from" her parents that she had failed the exam".

What can I say instead of "kept it from"?

You can use alternatives like "prevented it from", "concealed it from", or "protected it from" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "kept it from" or "kept it to"?

"Kept it from" is correct when indicating prevention or concealment. "Kept it to" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "kept it from" and "hid it from"?

"Kept it from" can imply prevention or concealment, while "hid it from" specifically means to conceal or keep something secret. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the act of preventing or concealing.