KEEP AWAY

National Parks

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'keep away' means to maintain a distance from someone or something, often for safety or because of potential harm. It involves avoiding close contact and staying at a safe distance to ensure one's well-being or prevent undesirable consequences.

Examples in context

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'keep away' means to maintain a distance from someone or something, often for safety or because of potential harm. It involves avoiding close contact and staying at a safe distance to ensure one's well-being or prevent undesirable consequences.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable
No
The phrase is inseparable; the words cannot be split by an object.
Register
Neutral
The phrase can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Transitive
Yes
The phrase requires a direct object to indicate what's being avoided.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense Form Example
Present Simple keep away Please keep away from the construction site.
Past Simple kept away They kept away from the loud music at the festival.
Present Continuous keeping away She is keeping away from sugary foods for health reasons.
Present Perfect have kept away They have kept away from the area due to hazardous conditions.

💡 When to Use

Avoiding danger
Use 'keep away' to maintain a distance from something hazardous to ensure safety and prevent harm to oneself.
Example: "Please keep away from the edge of the cliff."
Maintaining focus
Employ 'keep away' when aiming to distance oneself from distractions to concentrate on important tasks or goals.
Example: "He needed to keep away from social media to study effectively."
Social distancing
Use 'keep away' to refer to physical distancing measures, especially during contagious situations, to reduce transmission.
Example: "During flu season, it's best to keep away from crowded places."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

Incorrect object placement
❌ Wrong: Keep the dog away from.
✅ Correct: Keep away from the dog.
💡 Tip: Remember, the object follows the preposition 'from'.
Incorrect tense
❌ Wrong: He keep awayed from the fire.
✅ Correct: He kept away from the fire.
💡 Tip: Use 'kept' as the past form.
Redundant preposition
❌ Wrong: Keep away off the grass.
✅ Correct: Keep off the grass.
💡 Tip: Use either 'keep away from' or 'keep off', not both.
Practice

KEEP AWAY - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

  1. Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
  2. Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
  3. Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

steer clear of avoid

Antonyms

approach

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"It is wise to ___ from wild animals in the park."

come closer
keep away
engage with
join

"To keep away from distractions is to embrace clarity, as distancing oneself allows the mind to focus on essential truths and wisdom."

In Context

During the late 1660s, when the Great Plague of London struck, the renowned scientist Isaac Newton was a student at Trinity College, Cambridge. The epidemic led the institution to temporarily close, forcing Newton to return to his childhood home in Woolsthorpe. This retreat from the plague, where he actively sought to keep away from contagion, turned into a remarkably productive period. With distractions minimized, Newton delved into his studies and conducted experiments that others might have deemed impossible without formal resources. It was during this time, when he kept himself away from the chaos of the disease, that he developed the fundamentals of calculus, investigated the nature of light, and began formulating the laws of motion and gravitation. His choices to keep away from public fear and focus on intellectual pursuits led to groundbreaking discoveries. Eventually, once the danger passed and normalcy was restored, Newton returned to Cambridge. By choosing to keep away from immediate threats and focusing on long-term goals, he not only ensured his safety but also laid down some of the crucial foundations that would later contribute to the scientific revolution. Newton’s time away became legendary, illustrating how sometimes keeping away can lead to profound outcomes.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Keep Away

What is the origin of keep away?

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The phrase 'keep away' has roots in Middle English, originating from the Old English verb 'cepan', meaning to seize or hold. It evolved into maintaining a safe distance to avoid potential threats or undesirable interactions, reflecting cultural emphasis on caution and safety over centuries.

Can keep away be used in formal and informal contexts?

+
Yes, 'keep away' is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It's suitable for serious warnings or casual advice, making it a practical phrase for diverse situations. Its neutral tone ensures it conveys clear meaning without being contextually inappropriate.

What is the difference between keep away and avoid?

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'Keep away' suggests maintaining a physical distance, often for immediate safety, whereas 'avoid' might imply a broader sense of staying clear of situations, people, or events. 'Avoid' can be more proactive, implying conscious effort to prevent engagement or confrontation.

Related Phrasal Verbs

Explore more phrasal verbs in our dictionary:

hold downhold offhold outkeep pacekey in
Browse All National Parks Phrasal Verbs
National Parks Phrasal Verbs - WeeklyCross
Alessandra Nóbrega
About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey



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