does not keep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does not keep" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used in negative sentences to indicate that something is not being retained or maintained. For example: 1. He does not keep his promises, which is why I no longer trust him. 2. She does not keep her room clean, despite my repeated reminders. 3. The company does not keep accurate records of their sales. 4. The cat does not keep still long enough for us to groom her. 5. I'm sorry, but we do not keep that product in stock. In all of these examples, "does not keep" is used to indicate the lack of retention or maintenance of something.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hague does not keep a score card.

The New Yorker

New Jersey does not keep comparable statistics.

The New York Times

Michigan does not keep such records.

The New York Times

Bankruptcy does not keep bankers' hours.

The New York Times

The federal government does not keep track.

The New York Times

France does not keep ethnic statistics.

The New York Times

But in an extraordinary twist, Mick does not keep on.

The New York Times - Books

The league does not keep precise counts of player origins.

The New York Times - Sports

But it does not keep them awake at night.

The New York Times

But the peace does not keep itself.Again: completely shabby.

The Economist

(The railroad does not keep Saturday ridership figures).

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "does not keep", ensure the context clearly indicates what is not being maintained or adhered to. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "does not keep" when a stronger verb like "abandon" or "reject" more accurately reflects the action. 'Keep' implies a lack of maintenance, not necessarily a deliberate discarding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not keep" primarily functions as a negative verb phrase, indicating a lack of maintenance, adherence, or retention. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's used in negative sentences to show something isn't being retained. It modifies the subject by stating what the subject fails to maintain.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "does not keep" is a versatile and commonly used negative phrase expressing a lack of maintenance, retention, or adherence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently across various sources, especially in News & Media. While generally neutral in register, the specific context dictates its precise nuance. Remember to consider synonyms like "fails to maintain" or "does not retain" for varied expression. Ensure you use it when a stronger verb isn't appropriate, as "keep" implies something never took place or never was intended to take place. Finally, always ensure that you use the correct conjugation (do/does) depending on the subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does not retain

Focuses on the inability to hold or keep something.

cannot keep

Indicates inability instead of a choice.

fails to maintain

Emphasizes a failure in the act of maintaining something.

does not uphold

Implies a failure to support or defend something.

is unable to maintain

Formally states the lack of ability to maintain something.

neglects to preserve

Highlights a lack of care in preserving something.

refuses to keep

Highlights a deliberate choice not to maintain something.

does not observe

Stresses a lack of adherence to a rule or custom.

does not comply with

Indicates a failure to follow a set of regulations or standards.

lacks the ability to keep

Focuses on lacking the power or skill to maintain.

FAQs

How can I use "does not keep" in a sentence?

You can use "does not keep" to indicate a lack of maintenance, adherence, or retention. For example, "He "does not keep" his promises" or "The system "does not keep" records".

What are some alternatives to "does not keep"?

Alternatives include "fails to maintain", "does not retain", or "neglects to preserve", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "do not keep" instead of "does not keep"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "does not keep" with singular subjects (e.g., "he", "she", "it"), and "do not keep" with plural subjects (e.g., "they", "we") or the pronoun "I" or "you".

What's the difference between "does not keep" and "cannot keep"?

"Does not keep" implies a lack of action or willingness to maintain something, while "cannot keep" implies an inability to do so. For example, "He "does not keep" secrets" suggests he chooses not to, while "He "cannot keep" secrets" suggests he is unable to.