may have kept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may have kept" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a possibility or speculation about something that might have been retained or maintained in the past. Example: "She may have kept the documents in a safe place for future reference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Charles Wang may have kept his job this time.

The New Yorker

Hispanic voters may have kept the Senate in Democratic hands.

The New York Times

Pinter may have kept verbal opulence to a minimum.

The New York Times

Such a decision may have kept me up in the past, but I've matured.

The New York Times

But a range of cultural, educational and legal barriers may have kept minorities from cashing in.

The Guardian - Business

That honor may have kept his name alive, but not necessarily his reputation.

The New York Times

"Living where I live may have kept me from getting some parts," Mr. Cooper said recently.

The New York Times

But their dislike for each other may have kept the movie dramatically alive.

The New Yorker

Cameron may have kept Miller onside there, so he may be doubly at fault.

The New York Times

Likewise, a more cautious individual may have kept a low profile after buying EMI.

Independent

Others may have kept the guards around for their alternative uses.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may have kept" to express a possibility of preventing something undesired, like "The rain may have kept people away from the park".

Common error

Avoid using "may have kept" when you are certain about the outcome. This phrase implies a degree of uncertainty, so opt for a more definitive statement if the result is known.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may have kept" functions as a modal construction expressing possibility or speculation about a past action's result. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to indicate that something might have been maintained or retained, as illustrated in examples like "That honor may have kept his name alive" or "Living where I live may have kept me from getting some parts."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may have kept" is a modal phrase used to express possibility or speculation about a past action's consequence. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and very common, appearing most frequently in news and media contexts. To ensure clarity, avoid using it when certainty exists and consider more formal alternatives like "might have preserved" in appropriate settings. Remember, this phrase conveys a degree of uncertainty, suggesting a potential rather than a definitive outcome. The phrase finds itself in good company, with top tier sources like The New York Times and The Guardian as some of its many examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have preserved

Emphasizes the act of maintaining something in its original condition.

could have retained

Focuses on holding onto something that might have been lost.

might have sustained

Highlights the act of supporting or prolonging something.

could have shielded

Implies a protective action that resulted in something being untouched.

might have guarded

Focuses on protection from a specific threat or danger.

could have secured

Highlights the act of making something safe and preventing its loss.

might have upheld

Emphasizes maintaining a principle or standard.

could have conserved

Focuses on careful management to prevent depletion.

might have spared

Implies avoiding the loss or consumption of something.

could have fostered

Highlights nurturing or developing something, leading to its continuation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "may have kept" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "might have preserved", "could have retained", or "might have sustained". Each of these "might have preserved" a slightly different nuance but maintains the sense of possibility and past action.

What does "may have kept" imply about the speaker's knowledge?

Using "may have kept" suggests the speaker is unsure about the direct cause or outcome. It indicates a possibility, not a certainty, and implies the speaker is speculating based on available information.

Is "may have kept" interchangeable with "must have kept"?

No, "may have kept" and "must have kept" have different meanings. "May have kept" suggests a possibility, while "must have kept" implies a strong likelihood or deduction based on evidence.

How to use "may have kept" in a sentence?

You can use "may have kept" to express uncertainty about the consequences of a past action, for example: "The heavy rain "may have kept" many people from attending the event."