was kept under

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was kept under" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that something was maintained in a certain state or condition, often implying control or restriction. Example: "The secret was kept under wraps for years." Alternative expressions include "was held under" and "was maintained under."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The suit was kept under seal.

The New York Times

An old and inaccurate voters' roll was kept under wraps.

The Economist

From 1977 to 1979, he was kept under house arrest.

The New York Times - Arts

It was kept under seal until after his arrest.

The New York Times

Once, he was kept under house arrest for four months.

The New Yorker

And Alexander Lobanov (1924-2003) lined in an underground that was kept under lock and key.

The New York Times - Arts

For nearly five months, Greenhow was kept under house arrest with Little Rose.

The New York Times

The physical torture stopped, but she was kept under psychological pressure.

Independent

Sukarno was kept under house arrest until his death on June 21 , 1970

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ms. LaRose, 46, was arrested in Philadelphia in October, but her case was kept under seal.

The New York Times

Where it would launch, however, was kept under wraps.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, follow the phrase with precise parameters like temperature, pressure or duration to provide necessary technical clarity.

Common error

Do not confuse "was kept under" with "was put under" when the action is momentary. "Was kept under" implies a duration or a sustained state. For example, use "the document was put under the file" for a quick action, but "the document was kept under lock and key" for long-term security.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was kept under" functions as a passive verb construction composed of the auxiliary verb "to be", the past participle of "keep", and a preposition. According to Ludwig AI, this structure is used to indicate that an object or person was maintained in a specific state, location or condition by an external force or agent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "was kept under" is a highly reliable and versatile passive construction. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its effectiveness in three main domains: science (describing experimental conditions), journalism (reporting on legal status or secrets), and history (describing military or political restraints). It is grammatically sound and widely accepted in formal writing. To enhance your text, consider alternatives like "was maintained under" for technical precision or was held under for stronger restrictive contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remained under

Focuses on the continuity of the state rather than the action of keeping it.

was maintained under

Implies an active effort to ensure the conditions do not change.

was held under

Often used in legal or restrictive contexts like arrest or specific physical pressure.

was stored under

Specifically refers to physical items placed in controlled environmental conditions.

was placed under

Emphasizes the initial action of putting the subject into a state or condition.

stayed under

A more informal alternative that emphasizes duration in a specific state.

was preserved under

Suggests the purpose of the condition was to prevent decay or loss.

was subjected to

Focuses on the experience of being exposed to a specific condition or force.

was monitored under

Highlights the aspect of oversight or observation while in a specific state.

was confined under

Stronger emphasis on the restrictive nature of the environment.

FAQs

How do I use "was kept under" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe something maintained in a specific condition. For example: "The experimental solution "was kept under stirring" for twenty-four hours."

What is the difference between "was kept under" and "was held under"?

While similar, "was held under" often implies a more forceful or restrictive control, whereas "was kept under" suggests maintenance or preservation.

Can I use "remained under" as a synonym?

Yes, "remained under" is an excellent alternative if you want to focus on the subject's state rather than the external agent performing the keeping.

When is "was kept under" most common in scientific papers?

It is frequently used in the methodology section to describe storage conditions, such as when a sample "was kept under refrigeration" or an environment "was kept under standard conditions".