keep from
B2Neutral to informal. Common in spoken and written English.
Definition
Meaning
To prevent someone or something from doing something; to refrain or stop oneself from doing something.
To withhold information or an item from someone; to maintain a secret or distance.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a phrasal verb. The meaning shifts based on whether the object is a person/thing being prevented or the action/thing being withheld. Can be used reflexively ('keep myself from').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or structure. Minor potential differences in typical collocates or preferred synonyms.
Connotations
Equally neutral in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both BrE and AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
keep + OBJECT + from + VERB-ingkeep + from + VERB-ing (reflexive)keep + OBJECT + from + NOUNVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Can't keep from (laughing)”
- “Keep someone from the door (archaic: provide basic sustenance)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to discuss preventing losses, mistakes, or information leaks. 'The new protocol will keep sensitive data from being accessed.'
Academic
Used in discussions of causality, restraint, or experimental control. 'The barrier kept the solution from contaminating the sample.'
Everyday
Very common for discussing emotional control or minor prevention. 'I can't keep from worrying about the test results.'
Technical
Used in manuals or instructions for safety or maintenance. 'This seal keeps moisture from entering the engine.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The rain kept us from having a picnic in the garden.
- Do try to keep from mentioning the surprise party.
American English
- The safety lock keeps the gun from being fired accidentally.
- I can barely keep from ordering another piece of pie.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The umbrella keeps me from getting wet.
- He kept the toy from his little sister.
- I kept myself from eating the whole cake.
- Can you keep this secret from your parents?
- The new law is designed to keep companies from polluting the river.
- She struggled to keep her composure from crumbling during the speech.
- His enigmatic smile kept us from discerning his true intentions.
- The treaty includes clauses to keep either nation from unilaterally deploying troops in the region.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a KEEPer in football who stops (keeps) the ball FROM going into the net.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESTRAINT IS HOLDING BACK (Physically holding someone away from an action).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation from structures like "держать от".
- Remember the required gerund (VERB-ing) after 'from'.
- Don't confuse with "keep out" (не впускать) which is about entry, not action.
Common Mistakes
- *I kept him to go. (Incorrect: must use 'from going')
- *She kept from tell the secret. (Incorrect: must use gerund 'telling')
- Omitting the object when it's needed: *The news kept from spreading. (Correct: 'kept the news from spreading' or 'was kept from spreading').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'keep from' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is separable. The object (the person/thing being prevented) can come between 'keep' and 'from': 'Keep the child from danger' or 'Keep from the child the truth' (less common but possible).
Either a noun/noun phrase (the thing being withheld) or a gerund (the VERB-ing form of the action being prevented).
They are largely synonymous. 'Keep from' can sound slightly more informal or direct, and is often used for personal, physical, or immediate restraint. 'Prevent from' is more neutral and formal.
Yes, but usually in a reflexive sense where the object is implied ('myself', 'yourself'). For example: 'I couldn't keep from laughing.' Here, the object 'myself' is omitted but understood.