to keep from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to keep from" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate preventing someone or something from doing something or avoiding a particular action. Example: "She tried to keep from laughing during the serious meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I blinked to keep from blubbering.

The New York Times

I'm just making lists here to keep from sinking, just thinking to keep from feeling.

The New Yorker

I rose on my toes to keep from falling forward.

The New York Times

What can you do to keep from losing your temper?

The New York Times

"We were looking for a way to keep from desperation".

The New York Times

Williams had to turn her back to keep from smirking.

The New York Times - Sports

They know the tricks to keep from getting traced".

The New Yorker

I hope you're just laughing to keep from crying".

The New York Times - Magazine

I had to purse my lips to keep from crying.

The New York Times

You'll need discipline, however, to keep from spending it.

The New York Times

We sidestepped up, poling to keep from slipping backward.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to keep from" to clearly express the intention of preventing an action or avoiding a state. For instance, "He bit his lip to keep from laughing" effectively conveys the effort to suppress laughter.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect verb forms after "to keep from". Always use a gerund (verb + -ing) after "to keep from". Incorrect: "She tried to keep from cry". Correct: "She tried to keep from crying".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to keep from" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. Ludwig AI provides examples illustrating its use in various contexts, such as preventing oneself from crying or laughing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to keep from" is a versatile and commonly used construction that serves to express the intention of preventing oneself or others from performing a specific action. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in a wide range of contexts, including News & Media, Wiki, Science, Formal & Business, and Encyclopedias. When using "to keep from", remember to follow it with a gerund (verb + -ing). By understanding its function and purpose, you can effectively incorporate "to keep from" into your writing to convey the intention of avoidance or self-restraint. It's a valuable tool for clear and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in order to avoid

Focuses on the intention of avoiding something, similar to preventing it.

so as not to

Highlights the purpose of preventing something from happening.

with the intention of preventing

Emphasizes the deliberate act of preventing an outcome.

in an effort to prevent

Shows the attempt to hinder something.

to refrain from

Highlights the act of holding oneself back from doing something.

to abstain from

Implies a conscious decision to avoid something, often habitual.

to prevent oneself from

Emphasizes personal prevention.

to hold back from

Suggests restraining oneself from an action or emotion.

to stop oneself from

Highlights the act of halting one's own actions.

to avoid doing

Focuses on the act of evading a particular action.

FAQs

How do I use "to keep from" in a sentence?

Use "to keep from" to indicate the act of preventing or restraining oneself from doing something. For example, "I had to concentrate to keep from tripping" shows the effort to avoid a fall.

What are some alternatives to "to keep from"?

You can use alternatives like "in order to avoid", "so as not to", or "to refrain from" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "to keep from to do" something?

No, that construction is incorrect. The correct form is "to keep from doing" something. Always use the gerund form (verb + -ing) after "to keep from".

What is the difference between "to keep from" and "to prevent from"?

While both phrases indicate preventing something, "to prevent from" usually implies stopping an external action or event, whereas "to keep from" often refers to restraining oneself. For example: "The umbrella helped to prevent the rain from soaking her clothes" (external action) versus "She had to bite her tongue to keep from shouting" (self-restraint).