I am keeping

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence "I am keeping" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as a part of a sentence to express that you are retaining something, either emotionally or physically. For example: "I am keeping the letter from my grandmother as a reminder of her love."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But I am keeping myself humble.

The New York Times

"I am keeping Ramadan right now.

The Guardian

"But I am keeping my head down.

The Guardian - Arts

"I am keeping an open mind.

The Guardian

"I am keeping my fingers crossed and saying my prayers".

The New York Times

Finally, here I am, keeping up, running with the Kenyans.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"All the time, I am keeping the good distance between me and him," he said.

The New Yorker

"I am keeping them doing their job, living their lives with as little pain as possible".

The New York Times

"I am keeping my mouth shut," he added, miming a zipper across his lips.

The New York Times

I am keeping the cards because they remind me that death may be around the corner.

The New York Times

"For a lot of this process, on purpose, I am keeping a gray area.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I am keeping" when you want to express that you are retaining something, whether it's a physical object, an idea, or a promise. For example, "I am keeping this ticket as a souvenir."

Common error

While "I am keeping" is perfectly acceptable, overuse in formal writing can sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "I am retaining", "I am preserving", or "I am maintaining" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I am keeping" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating a continuous action in the present. It describes the act of retaining, holding, or maintaining something, whether physical or abstract. This aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I am keeping" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to denote the present continuous action of retaining or maintaining something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, supported by numerous examples from authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While its usage is generally neutral, varying the language with synonyms like "I'm retaining" or "I'm maintaining" can enhance the sophistication of formal writing. "I am keeping" is versatile and can be applied to physical objects, abstract ideas, or promises, making it a valuable phrase in everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm retaining

This alternative focuses on the act of holding onto something; slightly more formal.

I'm maintaining

This emphasizes the act of preserving or upholding something in its current state.

I'm holding on to

More informal, emphasizing emotional or physical retention.

I'm preserving

Highlights the effort to protect something from harm or change.

I'm upholding

Focuses on maintaining a principle, law, or decision.

I'm adhering to

Emphasizes compliance with a rule, agreement, or belief.

I'm sticking with

More casual, indicates a choice to continue with something.

I'm guarding

Highlights the act of protecting something valuable.

I'm conserving

Focuses on careful management to prevent depletion.

I'm stockpiling

Implies accumulating a large quantity for future use.

FAQs

How can I use "I am keeping" in a sentence?

You can use "I am keeping" to express that you are retaining something, either physically or emotionally. For instance, "I am keeping this photograph as a reminder of our trip" or "I am keeping my options open until I have more information."

What are some alternatives to "I am keeping"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "I'm retaining", "I'm maintaining", or "I'm holding on to".

Is "I am keeping" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I am keeping" is grammatically correct. It is the present continuous form of the verb "to keep", used to describe an action that is happening now or is ongoing.

What's the difference between "I am keeping" and "I keep"?

"I keep" is the simple present tense, used for habitual actions or general truths (e.g., "I keep a journal"). "I am keeping" is the present continuous tense, used for actions happening now or around now (e.g., "I am keeping a secret").