keep from

Meaning

This phrasal verb means to stop or prevent someone or yourself from doing an action. When referring to yourself, it often means controlling an impulse or urge (e.g., trying not to laugh or cry). It is usually followed by a gerund (an -ing verb).

Examples

• I tried to keep from laughing during the serious meeting, but I couldn't.

  I tried to keep from laughing during the serious meeting, but I couldn't.

• What can we do to keep the water from coming into the basement?

  What can we do to keep the water from coming into the basement?

• She wore sunglasses to keep the bright sun from hurting her eyes.

  She wore sunglasses to keep the bright sun from hurting her eyes.

• I couldn't keep myself from checking my phone every five minutes.

  I couldn't keep myself from checking my phone every five minutes.

• The heavy gates are designed to keep intruders from entering the property.

  The heavy gates are designed to keep intruders from entering the property.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I couldn't keep from to cry when I heard the news.

  ✓ I couldn't keep from crying when I heard the news.

  'Keep from' must be followed by a gerund (verb-ing), not an infinitive (to + verb).

• ✗ The umbrella kept me from the rain.

  ✓ The umbrella kept me from getting wet.

  'Keep from' usually requires an action (verb-ing) to describe what is being prevented, rather than just a simple noun.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I tried to ___ laughing, but his joke was just too funny.

  💡 Control the impulse to

  Show answer

  keep from

• How do you ___ yourself ___ procrastinating when you have a deadline?

  💡 Prevent yourself from

  Show answer

  keep from