will be kept back

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "will be kept back" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something or someone will be withheld or delayed from proceeding or being released. Example: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, the shipment will be kept back until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is likely that Master Of Hounds will be kept back for the third leg of the Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, where his stamina seems sure to make him competitive.

Independent

In this manner, Florida has set a national precedent, giving the adults who know these third graders best -- their teachers and principals -- absolutely no say in who will be kept back.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The filament will be kept in the back of the printer, and feed through the top.

TechCrunch

For this edition, Lennon will be kept on his toes in a back-to-back session with Running Back label boss and one half of Tuff City Kid, German DJ Gerd Janson.

The Guardian - Music

The Celtic back four will be kept on their toes by a youthful Ajax side, with the Amsterdam club's famous academy continuing to churn out top talents.

BBC

Stradford, who spent his first four NFL seasons with the Miami Dolphins before joining the Chiefs last season, almost certainly will be kept as the Rams' fifth running back.

Los Angeles Times

The amounts you pay will be kept relatively similar, and you'll pay back in equal installments.

HuffPost

One was kept back.

The Guardian

Back-ups of periodic data analysis files will also be kept.

British Medical Journal

Avado will enable practices to claim their accounts in Avado's namespace, where, Chase says, there will only be one "drjohnson.avado.com", for example, and unlike domain names on the web, Avado won't allow squatters, and namespaces need to be kept active, or it will be released back into the wild.

TechCrunch

If you lose out, don't panic just yet, as there will be one hundred £10 tickets kept back for purchase on the morning of performances.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "will be kept back" when you want to emphasize that something is being intentionally withheld or delayed, rather than simply experiencing an unforeseen delay. For instance, "Tickets "will be kept back" for purchase on the morning of the performance" indicates a deliberate holding of tickets.

Common error

Avoid using "will be kept back" when a simpler term like "delayed" or "postponed" suffices. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or even conspiratorial. Ensure the context warrants the implication of intentional withholding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "will be kept back" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being withheld or reserved. As Ludwig AI indicates, this usage is grammatically correct. The examples provided show its usage in contexts where something is intentionally not released or allowed to proceed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "will be kept back" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that something is intentionally withheld or delayed. As Ludwig AI's analysis confirms, this usage is accurate and appropriate. While not exceedingly common, it appears across diverse contexts, including News & Media and Science, suggesting it has a neutral register. When writing, it's important to ensure the context warrants the implication of intentional withholding, and not simply use it as a more verbose alternative to words such as "delayed". Overall, "will be kept back" is a useful phrase when you need to emphasize the deliberate nature of a withholding action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

will be held back

Uses "held" instead of "kept", offering a slightly different nuance but conveying the same general meaning of being retained or restrained.

will be retained

Emphasizes the act of preserving or maintaining something in its current state, suggesting a more deliberate withholding.

will be withheld

Implies a more forceful or intentional act of keeping something back, often suggesting a reason for the withholding.

will be reserved

Suggests something is being set aside for a specific purpose or future use, implying a planned delay.

will be delayed

Focuses on the postponement of something, highlighting the aspect of time being extended.

will be deferred

Similar to 'delayed', but often used in more formal contexts to indicate a planned postponement.

will be set aside

Suggests a conscious decision to keep something separate or unavailable for the time being.

will be put on hold

Indicates a temporary suspension or pause, suggesting the possibility of resumption in the future.

will be shelved

Implies putting something aside, often with the possibility of revisiting it later.

will remain unreleased

Focuses on the act of not making something public or available, emphasizing the lack of distribution.

FAQs

What does "will be kept back" mean?

The phrase "will be kept back" means something is intentionally withheld, delayed, or reserved for later use. It suggests a deliberate action to prevent something from proceeding immediately.

Are there synonyms for "will be kept back"?

Yes, you can use synonyms like "will be held back", "will be retained", or "will be withheld" to convey a similar meaning.

How can I use "will be kept back" in a sentence?

For example: "A portion of the funding "will be kept back" until the project reaches its halfway mark". This emphasizes that the funds are intentionally being held.

What's the difference between "will be kept back" and "will be delayed"?

"Will be delayed" suggests a postponement, while "will be kept back" implies a deliberate act of withholding. Although related, the latter suggests intentionality that the former does not. You can use "will be delayed" when talking about any kind of delay.