to be kept under control vs keep under control

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'To be kept under control' is in the passive voice and describes the state of being controlled by someone or something. 'Keep under control' is in the active voice and describes the action of controlling someone or something. They are not directly comparable as they convey different meanings.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 1102 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe the state of being controlled by someone or something.

"to be kept under control"

This phrase is used to indicate that someone or something is being controlled or managed by another person or entity.

Examples:

The situation needs to be kept under control.
The students were kept under control by the teacher.
The fire was finally kept under control by the firefighters.
It is important for emotions to be kept under control in stressful situations.
The virus spread rapidly before it was kept under control.

Show examples from the web [+]

However, the amount of the appropriations set aside for cross-border cooperation actions must continue to be kept under control.
It's a serious matter, Siddharta, and it has to be kept under control.
The Commission needs to be kept under strict control, and this is the first lesson to be drawn from this sad business.
Equipment and supplies referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article may be required to be kept under the supervision or control of the appropriate authorities and not to be transferred without payment of relevant customs duties and taxes.
For the rest, it contradicts paragraph 2 of the same document, where it is rightly stated that water is a 'public good' to be kept 'under public control'.
The situation can be kept under control provided our defense forces are given complete freedom ofmovement.
The powder keg of Kosovo will not be kept under control without a trustworthy vision for the future.
The risk of reimportation of exported goods can be kept under control with the normal mechanism of customs and market surveillance.
Contingency plans should be based on risk analysis and provide for various scenarios so that even major outbreaks can be kept under control.
This implies, though, that secondary migration, in other words, the misuse of asylum to which Mr Vitorino referred, will thereby be kept under control.
Any spoilage shall be minimised and kept under control to reduce pest invasion.
General government expenditure has been kept under control in 2006.
If bleeding is not kept under control hospital care is mandatory.
If bleeding is not kept under control, contact your doctor immediately.
Any spoilage shall be minimised and kept under control to reduce pest invasion.
Probably is best if things are kept under control.
This is being reflected in new employment opportunities, and with inflation kept under control.
We must ensure that this incident is now kept under control.
Political security is dependent on the extent to which extremist groups are kept under control.
At present, then, the signs seem to point to the negative effects of the 11 September terrorist attacks having been kept under control.

Alternatives:

to remain under control
to be controlled
to be managed
to be restrained
to be supervised

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to describe the action of controlling someone or something.

"keep under control"

This phrase is used to indicate the act of managing or restraining someone or something to maintain order or prevent chaos.

Examples:

It is important to keep your emotions under control.
The police had to keep the crowd under control during the protest.
Parents need to keep their children under control in public places.
The manager struggled to keep the project under control.
The teacher tried to keep the students under control during the field trip.

Show examples from the web [+]

Way too many to keep under control.
When I think about what I have to keep under control, this sort of rage, endlessly.
Two, "Your major guy to keep under control is Hunt."
In particular, FATA stated that it keeps under control air carriers' performance and is ready to intervene, if necessary.
While we're divided, the cops can keep us under control.
She needs guardians she respects who can keep her under control.
I'm thinking that's what he used to keep her under control.
Keep Guinevere under control and quiet.
But l did everything l could to keep things under control.
You must keep him under control.
Obviously, I'll keep you under control, checking your tests.
Radio, keep everybody under control while I'm gone, now.
Try to keep it under control, though.
They designed the proximity detectors to keep us under control.
This is one of the ways in which the Commission keeps everyone under control.
The objective should be to keep risk under control, he said.
Military might is necessary, but it should be used only to keep terrorism under control.
She promised that she would keep it under control, but...
Vincent, he takes pills to keep him under control.
Just hope we can keep everybody under control.

Alternatives:

maintain control over
control
manage
restrain
supervise

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to be kept under control vs keep under control