kipa
A1 (Core Vocabulary)Universal across all registers, from informal to formal.
Definition
Meaning
to have or retain possession of something; to continue to have something.
To cause someone or something to remain in a specified state, condition, or position; to store or maintain; to fulfill or adhere to (a promise, rule, etc.); to celebrate or observe.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb 'keep' is highly polysemous (having many meanings) and versatile. Its central sense involves possession and continuation, from which many figurative and phrasal verb meanings extend.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor differences in specific compound nouns (e.g., 'keep-fit' vs. 'exercise class'), and the verb 'keep' with 'school' (BrE: 'keep school' is archaic for teaching; AmE: not used). Spelling in past participles: both 'kept'.
Connotations
Largely identical. In property contexts, 'keep' can have a slightly more formal/archaic connotation in both variants (e.g., 'keep a castle').
Frequency
Extremely high and virtually identical frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
keep + NP (I keep old letters)keep + NP + Adj (Keep the door open)keep + NP + V-ing (The noise kept me awake)keep + V-ing (He kept talking)keep + to + NP (Keep to the path)keep + NP + from + V-ing (I kept him from falling)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “keep your chin up”
- “keep someone at arm's length”
- “keep your nose clean”
- “keep your hair on (BrE)”
- “keep the ball rolling”
- “keep your fingers crossed”
- “keep up with the Joneses”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To maintain records or accounts ('keep the books'), continue a business activity ('keep trading'), retain staff ('keep employees').
Academic
To adhere to a methodology ('keep to the protocol'), maintain a variable constant ('keep the temperature stable'), continue a line of argument.
Everyday
Ubiquitous: keeping appointments, food, pets, secrets, in contact with people.
Technical
In computing: to retain data in memory ('keep alive'). In sports: the position of goalkeeper ('keep goal').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Can you keep this seat for me?
- He kept phoning all afternoon.
- We keep chickens in the garden.
- The school keeps to traditional values.
American English
- Keep the change.
- She kept working despite the noise.
- They keep a boat down by the lake.
- Try to keep to the main highways.
adverb
British English
- 'Keep' is not used as an adverb.
American English
- 'Keep' is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- 'Keep' is not commonly used as a true adjective. Participial adjective: 'a well-kept garden'.
- Compound: 'keep-fit classes'.
American English
- 'Keep' is not commonly used as a true adjective. Participial adjective: 'a poorly-kept secret'.
- Compound: 'keep-away (game)'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I keep my keys in my bag.
- Keep quiet, please.
- Do you keep a diary?
- This fridge keeps food fresh for longer.
- I promise to keep your secret.
- He couldn't keep from laughing.
- The government struggled to keep inflation in check.
- She kept herself to herself after moving here.
- We need to keep abreast of new developments.
- The judge warned the lawyer to keep to the facts of the case.
- His eccentricities were kept in check by his pragmatic partner.
- They managed to keep the contentious issue off the agenda.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a castle KEEPer. His job is to KEEP things safe, to KEEP the gates closed, and to KEEP watch. He KEEPs possession of the keys.
Conceptual Metaphor
POSSESSION IS HOLDING (KEEPING); CONTINUITY IS KEEPING (ON) DOING SOMETHING; CONTROL IS KEEPING SOMETHING IN A STATE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate 'keep doing' as 'продолжать делать' every time; it often implies annoying repetition ('He kept asking me').
- The structure 'keep + object + adjective' (Keep the window open) has no direct parallel; Russian uses other constructions.
- 'Keep' is not 'хранить' when it means 'maintain' (keep a car in good condition).
Common Mistakes
- *I kept to drive (incorrect) vs. I kept driving (correct).
- *Keep on the light (incorrect) vs. Keep the light on (correct).
- Overusing 'keep' where more specific verbs exist (e.g., 'preserve food', not just 'keep food').
Practice
Quiz
In the sentence 'The aspirin kept his fever down', what is the meaning of 'kept'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Keep on + V-ing' emphasizes persistence, often in the face of difficulty or annoyance. 'Keep + V-ing' can be more neutral, meaning simply to continue.
It can be both. In meanings like 'possess' or 'store' (I keep wine in the cellar), it is stative and not used in continuous forms. In meanings like 'continue' or 'maintain in a state' (He's keeping quiet), it can be used dynamically in continuous forms.
'Put' focuses on the single action of moving something to a place. 'Keep' focuses on the resulting state of something remaining in that place over time. Compare: 'I put the book on the shelf' (action) vs. 'I keep the book on the shelf' (habitual state).
It has several common meanings: 1) to maintain the same speed or level as someone/something (keep up with the group), 2) to continue something at the same rate (keep up the good work), 3) to prevent from going to bed (The noise kept me up).