Cool MateHold them vs Keep
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hold them
Top 2,000 (common)
Keep
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Most common: Keep
| Hold them | Keep | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //həʊld ðɛm//🇺🇸 //hoʊld ðɛm// | 🇬🇧 /["/kiːp/","/kiːps/","/kept/","/ˈkiːpɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kiːp/","/kiːps/","/kept/","/ˈkiːpɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To keep or maintain something in a certain position. | To have or hold something in your possession. |
| Example | I need to hold them tightly to keep them safe. | Please keep your room clean. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | hold them together, hold them back, hold them close | well |
| Antonyms | - | discard, release, abandon |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'hold it' for objects instead of people., Misuse in passive structures., Not realizing 'hold them' can refer to emotions or abstract ideas. | Confusing 'keep' with 'keep on' which suggests continuation., Using 'keep' without an object (e.g. saying 'I keep' instead of 'I keep it')., Incorrectly using 'kept' as a present tense. |
| Usage notes | Used in various contexts, often informal. Avoid in very formal writing. Commonly used in casual conversations. | Use 'keep' when you want to indicate retaining something. It is suitable for both spoken and written contexts. Avoid using 'keep' in overly formal writing; alternatives like 'retain' may be better. |
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Frequently asked questions: Hold them vs Keep
What's the difference between Hold them and Keep?
Hold them: To keep or maintain something in a certain position. Keep: To have or hold something in your possession.
Which is more common: Hold them and Keep?
Keep is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Hold them: I need to hold them tightly to keep them safe. Keep: Please keep your room clean.
Can I use Hold them and Keep interchangeably?
Not always. Hold them and Keep are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.