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Angliholic Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Holding/keeping back a few tears

Mary was holding back a few tears.

Mary was keeping back a few tears.

Mary was restraining herself from shedding a few drops of tears.

Hi,

Do all of the above sound good and mean about the same? Thanks.
  

Top answer

Hi, Mary was holding back a few tears. OK Mary was keeping back a few tears. Less idomatic.

— Clive

  • Hi, Mary was holding back a few tears.
  • OK Mary was keeping back a few tears.
  • Less idomatic.
  • Mary was restraining herself from shedding a few drops of tears.
  • Too formal.
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1 Answers
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Hi,

Mary was holding back a few tears. OK

Mary was keeping back a few tears. Less idomatic.

Mary was restraining herself from shedding a few drops of tears. Too formal.

Idiomatic is, eg 'Mary was trying to keep (herself) from crying'.

Do all of the above sound good and mean about the same?

Clive
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