Is 'keeping' only used as a noun?

No, it's primarily the '-ing' form (gerund/participle) of the verb 'keep', functioning as a deverbal noun. It can also appear in compound adjectives (e.g., 'time-keeping').

What's the difference between 'keeping' and 'maintenance'?

'Maintenance' often implies active work to prevent decay or failure (maintaining machinery). 'Keeping' is broader, covering possession, preservation, and observance (keeping a secret, keeping a tradition).

How formal is the phrase 'in keeping with'?

It is neutral to formal. It's common in written and spoken English when discussing consistency, from everyday topics ('in keeping with the dress code') to academic and official contexts.

Can 'keeping' be used in a legal context?

Yes, particularly in phrases like 'the keeping of records' (as a legal requirement) or 'safe keeping' (referring to the custodial duty of a trustee or bailee).

keeping

UK/ˈkiːpɪŋ/US/ˈkiːpɪŋ/

Neutral (Used across formal, informal, and technical contexts)

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

The act of continuing to have, hold, or maintain something; the action of preserving or retaining something in a specified state.

The responsibility for the safekeeping or maintenance of something; the state of being in agreement or harmony with something else (e.g., 'in keeping with'); the observance of a tradition or practice.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

Primarily functions as a deverbal noun (from 'keep'), often implying continuous action, responsibility, or conformity. Can denote physical custody ('safe keeping') or abstract harmony ('in keeping with the theme').

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Minimal. Both varieties use all senses. British English might have a slightly higher frequency in phrases like 'bookkeeping' (though also standard in AmE).

Connotations

Neutral in both. 'In keeping with' is equally formal.

Frequency

Very high frequency in both varieties with negligible difference.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

safe keepingrecord keepingbookkeepingin keeping without of keeping with

medium

secret keepingtime keepingcost keepingpeace keeping

weak

house keepinggoal keepingstock keeping

Grammar

Valency Patterns

the keeping of + NOUN (the keeping of secrets)in/out of keeping with + NOUN/PHRASEfor safekeepingresponsible for the keeping of

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

safeguardingconservationguardianshipupkeep

Neutral

maintenancepreservationcustodycareretention

Weak

holdingpossessionstorage

Vocabulary

Antonyms

abandonmentrelinquishmentdisposaldiscardingneglect

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“in safe keeping”
“in/out of keeping with something”
“a closely guarded secret is in his keeping”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Refers to administrative tasks like 'record keeping' and 'bookkeeping'.

Academic

Used in discussions of tradition, data preservation, or theoretical consistency ('in keeping with the hypothesis').

Everyday

Common in phrases about responsibility ('I left my keys in your keeping') or harmony ('The decoration is in keeping with the season').

Technical

Found in IT ('session keeping'), logistics ('inventory keeping'), and sports ('timekeeping').

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

She is keeping the documents in the filing cabinet.
We've been keeping a close eye on the situation.

American English

He's keeping the car in the garage for the winter.
They are keeping the tradition alive.

adjective

British English

A time-keeping device is essential for the race.
The house-keeping staff arrived at ten.

American English

The record-keeping software needs an update.
She has excellent book-keeping skills.

Examples

By CEFR Level

The teacher is keeping our tests for next week.
I am keeping my money in a box.

Good record keeping is important for a small business.
The new policy is in keeping with company values.

The museum assumed the keeping of the ancient artefacts.
His formal attire was out of keeping with the casual barbecue.

The meticulous keeping of the archives allowed historians to reconstruct the event.
The architect's modern extension was perfectly in keeping with the Georgian facade, respecting its proportions.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of a librarian KEEPING books IN order. The '-ing' shows it's the ongoing action of 'keep'.

Conceptual Metaphor

POSSESSION IS HOLDING (keeping an object); HARMONY IS ALIGNMENT (in keeping with an idea); RESPONSIBILITY IS A BURDEN (the keeping of records).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid directly translating as 'хранение' for abstract harmony (use 'соответствие').
Don't confuse 'bookkeeping' (бухгалтерия) with just 'keeping books' (хранение книг).
'In keeping with' is a set phrase; don't translate word-for-word.

Common Mistakes

Using 'keeping' without an article where needed (e.g., 'He is responsible for keeping of records' -> '...for *the* keeping of records').
Confusing 'keeping' (continuous action) with 'keep' (simple action/imperative).
Incorrect preposition: 'in keeping to' instead of 'in keeping *with*'.

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The old photographs were placed in the bank vault for .

Multiple Choice

Which phrase correctly expresses harmony or consistency?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No, it's primarily the '-ing' form (gerund/participle) of the verb 'keep', functioning as a deverbal noun. It can also appear in compound adjectives (e.g., 'time-keeping').
: 'Maintenance' often implies active work to prevent decay or failure (maintaining machinery). 'Keeping' is broader, covering possession, preservation, and observance (keeping a secret, keeping a tradition).
: It is neutral to formal. It's common in written and spoken English when discussing consistency, from everyday topics ('in keeping with the dress code') to academic and official contexts.
: Yes, particularly in phrases like 'the keeping of records' (as a legal requirement) or 'safe keeping' (referring to the custodial duty of a trustee or bailee).