withhold from

USAGE SUMMARY

"withhold from" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are refusing to give someone something that they are asking for. For example, "I'm going to have to withhold from giving you the money until you can prove you are going to use it wisely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How much information should a dramatist withhold from an audience?

The Guardian

What exactly are we going to withhold from China if they don't do as we wish?

University of California, Berkeley

"I give to some only so I can withhold from others.

The New York Times - Books

If you're sure your employees never withhold from you, please tell us how you know that.

Harvard Business Review

But of course the question raises another: What do we withhold from ourselves?

The Washington Post

(3) Information that the employee wishes to withhold from the railroad must not be included in this Supplement.

Cornell University

(6) Withhold from disclosure information pertaining to a meeting or portions of a meeting, as provided in § 9407.5.

Cornell University

It would also allow government ministers to withhold from certain court proceedings information that the ministers deem sensitive.

The New York Times

This is the truth that the organizers of this war want to withhold from the American people.

The New York Times - Arts

A decision to withhold from voting on a resolution at an AGM is usually interpreted as a protest.

The Guardian

Companies began reducing the amount of money they withhold from paychecks at the start of this year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "withhold from" when you want to clearly communicate the act of intentionally preventing someone from receiving something, whether it's information, resources, or opportunities.

Common error

While "withhold from" is versatile, avoid using it excessively in very informal settings. Simpler alternatives like "keep from" or "hold back" might sound more natural in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "withhold from" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of preventing someone from receiving or accessing something. As Ludwig AI explains, it's about refusing to give something requested. Examples show its use in contexts ranging from information to resources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "withhold from" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express the act of preventing someone from receiving something. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase correctly indicates refusing to give someone something that they are asking for. It is frequently found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. While the phrase is common and well-understood, alternative phrasings, such as "hold back from" or "keep from", may be more appropriate in informal settings. When employing this phrase, ensure that you are deliberately communicating the act of prevention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold back from

Emphasizes a conscious decision to restrain oneself or others from doing something.

refrain from giving

Focuses on abstaining from providing something, often implying a deliberate choice.

keep from

Suggests preventing someone from accessing or obtaining something, sometimes implying secrecy.

deny access to

Explicitly states that access is being prohibited or refused.

restrict from

Highlights limitations or restrictions placed on someone or something.

deprive of

Implies taking something away that was previously possessed or available.

exclude from

Indicates that something or someone is being deliberately left out.

block from receiving

Focuses on preventing the receipt of something, often implying an active intervention.

hinder from obtaining

Stresses the act of making it difficult for someone to get something.

conceal from

Implies hiding information or objects.

FAQs

How can I use "withhold from" in a sentence?

The phrase "withhold from" indicates that something is being kept back from someone. For example, "The company decided to withhold the bonus from employees due to poor performance".

What can I say instead of "withhold from"?

You can use alternatives like "hold back from", "refrain from giving", or "keep from depending on the context".

Which is correct, "withhold from" or "withhold to"?

"Withhold from" is the correct phrase. "Withhold to" is grammatically incorrect. You withhold something from someone.

What's the difference between "withhold from" and "deprive of"?

"Withhold from" implies a deliberate act of keeping something back, while "deprive of" suggests that something has been taken away. For example, you might "withhold information from" someone, but "deprive them of their rights".