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Useful Collocations with KEEP | English Vocabulary

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In the English language, collocations represent a fascinating and integral thread. These combinations of words, which native speakers use instinctively, can often be a source of perplexity for learners striving to achieve fluency. Among these, the verb “keep” forms a plethora of collocations, each with its distinct meaning and usage. This article delves into an extensive list of collocations with “keep,” providing readers with insights and examples that will not only enhance their linguistic repertoire but also illuminate the subtleties of English expression.

KEEP Collocations 

collocations with keep

List of Collocations with KEEP

  • Keep in touch
  • Keep track of
  • Keep tabs on
  • Keep in mind
  • Keep sth to yourself
  • Keep someone
  • Keep someone’s place
  • Keep someone posted
  • Keep it up
  • Keep it down
  • Keep up
  • Keep your job
  • Keep safe
  • Keep someone company
  • Keep sth on the down low
  • Keep a secret
  • Keep a promise
  • Keep a diary
  • Keep a journal
  • Keep the change
  • Keep score
  • Keep your balance
  • Keep someone in check
  • Keep an appointment
  • Keep away
  • Keep pace
  • Keep calm
  • Keep the quite
  • Keep records
  • Keep animals
  • Keep up the good work.

Common Types of Collocations with Keep

Keep + Adjective

We use ‘keep’ with an adjective to describe a state or condition. For example:

  • Keep safe: We often tell others to “keep safe” when parting.
  • Keep quiet: Teachers may ask students to “keep quiet” during a test.

Keep + Gerund

When ‘keep’ is followed by a gerund, it implies the continuation of an action. Examples include:

  • Keep going: This encourages someone to continue what they’re doing.
  • Keep trying: This suggests persistence in the face of challenges.

Keep + Preposition

‘Keep’ can be paired with a preposition to provide specific instructions or directives. For instance:

  • Keep from: We use “keep from” to avoid doing something, as in “keep from smoking.”
  • Keep on: “Keep on” means to continue, such as “keep on walking.”
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Keep + Noun

Lastly, ‘keep’ is often collocated with a noun to discuss possession or maintenance. Examples are:

  • Keep custody: This refers to maintaining legal responsibility, typically for a child.
  • Keep track: This means to stay informed about something, like “keep track of expenses.”

Meanings and Examples of Collocations with KEEP

Keep in touch: To maintain contact with someone.

  • “Even though we’re moving to different cities, let’s keep in touch through social media and phone calls.”

Keep track of: To continue to be informed or know about someone or something.

  • “I use a planner to keep track of all my meetings and appointments.”

Keep tabs on: To monitor the activities or development of someone or something.

  • “The manager likes to keep tabs on all the projects to ensure they are progressing as planned.”

Keep in mind: To remember or consider something.

  • “When planning the picnic, keep in mind that some people may have dietary restrictions.”

Keep sth to yourself: To not share information with others.

  • “This is confidential, so please keep it to yourself.”

Keep someone: To prevent someone from leaving.

  • “The company offered him a raise to keep him from accepting a job elsewhere.”

Keep someone’s place: To save a spot for someone who is temporarily away.

  • “Could you keep my place in line while I run to the restroom?”

Keep someone posted: To regularly inform someone about events or progress.

  • “I’ll be working on the report today, and I’ll keep you posted on my progress.”

Keep it up: To continue doing something in the same manner or at the same level.

  • “You’re doing a great job on your project, keep it up!”
Related  40 Powerful Collocations with MAKE in English

Keep it down: To be quiet or make less noise.

  • “Could you please keep it down? I’m trying to study in the next room.”

Keep up: To maintain the same pace or level as others.

  • “I’m trying to keep up with the latest technology trends.”

Keep your job: To remain employed.

  • “If you want to keep your job, you’ll need to improve your performance.”

Keep safe: To remain unharmed or in a state of safety.

  • “Make sure you keep safe during the storm by staying indoors.”

Keep someone company: To stay with someone so they are not alone.

  • “I’ll keep you company while you wait for your appointment.”

Keep sth on the down low: To keep something secret or discreet.

  • “We’re planning a surprise party for her birthday, so let’s keep it on the down low.”

Keep a secret: To not disclose information that is meant to be confidential.

  • “You can trust me to keep a secret; I won’t tell anyone.”

Keep a promise: To do what you said you would do.

  • “He always keeps his promises, so I knew he’d come through.”

Keep a diary: To regularly record one’s experiences, thoughts, or events in a diary.

  • “She keeps a diary to document her travels around the world.”

Keep a journal: Similar to keeping a diary, it involves writing down personal reflections or events.

  • “I keep a journal as a way to reflect on my daily experiences.”

Keep the change: To let someone keep the remaining money after a transaction as a tip or gesture of goodwill.

  • “The taxi fare is $18, but here’s a twenty—keep the change.”

Keep score: To record points or results, typically in a game or competition.

  • “It’s your turn to keep score during the tennis match.”
Related  Common Collocations With GET with Practice and Exercises

Keep your balance: To maintain physical stability.

  • “It’s important to keep your balance while walking on a slippery surface.”

Keep someone in check: To control or limit someone’s actions or behavior.

  • “The new regulations are designed to keep corporations in check.”

Keep an appointment: To fulfill a commitment by attending a scheduled meeting.

  • “He’s very reliable and always keeps his appointments.”

Keep away: To stay at a distance or avoid getting close.

  • “Please keep away from the edge of the cliff for your safety.”

Keep pace: To move or progress at the same rate as someone or something else.

  • “The small company struggled to keep pace with the rapid changes in technology.”

Keep calm: To remain relaxed and not become upset or agitated.

  • “In a crisis, it’s important to keep calm and think clearly.”

Keep the peace: To maintain order and prevent conflict.

  • “During the heated debate, the moderator’s main role was to keep the peace between the participants.”

Keep records: To maintain written or electronic documentation of events, transactions, or other important information.

  • “It’s essential for businesses to keep accurate records for tax purposes.”

Keep animals: To own and take care of animals.

  • “She loves to keep animals; she has two dogs, three cats, and a parrot at home.”

Keep up the good work: To continue performing or working well.

  • “You’ve made a lot of progress on your fitness goals—keep up the good work!”
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Paul Comlan AZIAKPO

Thursday 30th of December 2021

That's very amiable and so useful.

Sheeraz Muhammad

Thursday 25th of November 2021

Good