Keep sth from sb Meaning, Examples & How to Use

What Does “Keep sth from sb” Mean?

“Keep sth from sb” means to deliberately not tell someone something or to hide information from them.

Introduction

The phrase “Keep sth from sb” is a common English phrasal verb used when someone chooses not to share information with another person. The “sth” stands for “something,” and “sb” means “somebody.” This expression often involves secrecy or withholding facts, either to protect someone’s feelings or for personal reasons. Understanding the “Keep sth from sb” meaning helps learners use it correctly in daily conversations, whether in personal relationships, work, or storytelling. It is a useful phrase for describing situations where information is intentionally hidden.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: Keep something from somebody
• Type: Transitive
• Level: B1 (Intermediate)
• Short meaning: To not tell someone something on purpose

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Keep sth from sb” is a separable phrasal verb with the following patterns:

• Keep + object (something) + from + somebody
• Example: She kept the secret from her parents.

The object “something” must be placed between “keep” and “from.” You cannot separate “from” from the verb.

How to Use “Keep sth from sb”?

Use “Keep sth from sb” when you want to express that someone is intentionally not sharing information. It can be used in both positive and negative contexts. For example, you might keep a surprise party secret (positive) or hide bad news (negative). This phrase often appears in past or present tense and can be used with various objects like secrets, information, feelings, or facts.

Examples

Here are some natural sentences using “Keep sth from sb”:

• He kept the truth from his friends because he didn’t want to upset them.
• She kept her plans from her coworkers until everything was finalized.
• They kept the surprise from the birthday girl for weeks.
• Don’t keep important information from your doctor.
• We decided to keep the details from the public for now.

These examples show how “keep sth from sb in a sentence” can describe hiding information in different situations.

Common Mistakes

People sometimes confuse the word order or prepositions when using this phrase. Here are examples of incorrect and correct usage:

• Incorrect: She kept from her parents the secret.
• Correct: She kept the secret from her parents.
• Incorrect: He kept the secret to his friends.
• Correct: He kept the secret from his friends.

Remember, the object must come right after “keep,” and the preposition “from” must follow the object.

Differences / Synonyms

Similar phrases include “hide something from someone” and “withhold information from someone.” While they all involve not sharing information, “keep sth from sb” is often more neutral and can imply both good and bad intentions. “Hide” usually suggests secrecy with negative or suspicious reasons, and “withhold” is often formal and used in official contexts.

Common Collocations

Here are some common objects used with “keep sth from sb” and their meanings:

• Secret: Information meant to be private
• Truth: Facts or reality someone doesn’t share
• Information: Data or knowledge withheld
• Feelings: Emotions not expressed
• Plans: Future intentions kept hidden

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of keep sth from sb:

• Keep Sb From Doing Sth
• Keep Sth Up
• Keep Sb Away
• Keep An Eye On Sth
• Keep Sth To Yourself

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using “keep sth from sb”:

Anna: Why didn’t you tell me about the meeting?

Ben: I didn’t want to keep it from you, but it was a last-minute thing.

Anna: I wish you had told me earlier.

Practice

Try filling in the blanks with the correct form of “keep sth from sb”:

• She ________ the surprise party ________ her best friend.
• They ________ important details ________ the team.
• Don’t ________ your feelings ________ me.

FAQs

• What does “keep something from someone” mean? It means to not tell someone something intentionally.
• Is “keep sth from sb” formal or informal? It is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal situations.
• Can “keep sth from sb” be used in the past tense? Yes, for example, “She kept the secret from him.”
• What is the difference between “keep sth from sb” and “hide sth from sb”? “Keep” is more neutral; “hide” suggests more deliberate secrecy or suspicion.
• Can I use “keep” without “from”? No, “keep sth from sb” requires “from” to show who is not told.