What Does “Keep sb in sth” Mean?
“Keep sb in sth” means to cause someone to remain in a particular condition, place, or state, often by controlling or restricting them.
Introduction
The phrase “Keep sb in sth” is a common English phrasal verb used to describe situations where someone is held or maintained within a certain place or condition. This could mean keeping a person physically inside a room, maintaining them in a specific emotional state, or ensuring they stay involved in a particular activity. Understanding the Keep sb in sth meaning helps learners use it naturally in everyday conversations and writing. The phrase is versatile and appears in various contexts, making it a useful expression to master. This article explains how to use “Keep sb in sth” correctly, provides examples, and highlights common mistakes to avoid.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Keep somebody in something
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To cause someone to remain inside or in a particular state
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Keep sb in sth” is a transitive phrasal verb, meaning it requires an object (sb = somebody) and a prepositional phrase (in sth = in something).
It is inseparable, so you cannot put the object between “keep” and “in.”
- Correct: Keep her in the room.
- Incorrect: Keep in the room her.
Pattern:
- Keep + somebody + in + something
How to Use “Keep sb in sth”?
Use “Keep sb in sth” when you want to express that someone is being held or maintained inside a place or condition. It often implies control or restriction. For example, parents might keep children in the house during bad weather, or a company might keep employees in the loop by sharing updates.
The phrase can also be used metaphorically, such as keeping someone in suspense or keeping a person in good spirits.
Examples
Here are some examples of Keep sb in sth in a sentence to help you understand its use:
- The teacher kept the students in the classroom after the bell rang.
- During the storm, the hotel staff kept guests in their rooms for safety.
- She tried to keep him in a positive mood despite the bad news.
- The manager kept the team in the loop about the project’s progress.
- They kept the patient in quarantine until the test results came back.
Common Mistakes
Many learners confuse the order of words or use the wrong preposition. Here are some examples to clarify:
- Incorrect: Keep in her the room.
- Correct: Keep her in the room.
- Incorrect: Keep him on the house.
- Correct: Keep him in the house.
Remember, the phrase is always “keep somebody in something,” not “keep somebody on” or “keep somebody at.”
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include “hold sb in,” “keep sb out,” and “keep sb back,” but they have different meanings.
- Hold sb in often means to physically restrain someone, usually temporarily.
- Keep sb out means to prevent someone from entering a place.
- Keep sb back means to stop someone from moving forward.
“Keep sb in sth” focuses on maintaining someone inside or within a condition, rather than preventing entry or restraining movement.
Common Collocations
Some common objects paired with “keep sb in” include:
- Keep sb in the room – to make someone stay inside a room
- Keep sb in the dark – to withhold information from someone
- Keep sb in suspense – to make someone wait anxiously for news
- Keep sb in line – to maintain discipline or order
- Keep sb in hospital – to have someone stay in a hospital
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of keep sb in sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “keep sb in sth”:
Anna: Why did the teacher keep you in the classroom after school?
Ben: I forgot to finish my homework, so she kept me in for extra practice.
Anna: That sounds tough. Did she keep everyone in or just you?
Ben: Just me, actually.
Practice
Try filling in the blanks with the correct form of “keep sb in sth”:
- The doctor decided to _______ the patient _______ hospital overnight.
- During the meeting, the manager _______ the team _______ the loop about changes.
- Because of the heavy rain, the coach _______ the players _______ the gym.
FAQs
- Q: Can “keep sb in sth” be used for emotions?
A: Yes, it can describe keeping someone in an emotional state, like suspense or happiness. - Q: Is “keep sb in sth” separable?
A: No, it is inseparable. The object must come immediately after “keep.” - Q: What prepositions are used with “keep sb”?
A: Commonly “in,” but other prepositions change the meaning (e.g., “keep sb out”). - Q: Can it be used in passive voice?
A: Yes, for example, “He was kept in the hospital for observation.” - Q: Is “keep sb in sth” formal or informal?
A: It is neutral and suitable for both formal and informal contexts.
