had kept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had kept" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is the past perfect tense of the verb "keep," indicating an action that was completed in the past before another specified past event. Some examples of using "had kept" in a sentence are: - I had kept the receipt, so I was able to return the product. - They had kept their relationship a secret for years before finally announcing their engagement. - The students had kept their promise to study hard and all received good grades. - She had kept the tradition of making homemade cookies every Christmas. - The company had kept its promise to reduce its carbon footprint by 50%.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He had kept order.

The Economist

No emergency had kept me.

The New York Times

Nightmares had kept him awake.

The New York Times - Sports

I had kept a journal.

The New Yorker

Instead, he had kept quiet.

The Economist

His father had kept doves.

Independent

Each man had kept an account.

The New Yorker

The rain had kept them away.

The New Yorker

That had kept him up at night.

The New Yorker

Leon had kept himself fit in prison.

The New Yorker

Wilfredo had kept him off the streets.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had kept", ensure the sequence of past events is clear. Use it to describe an action completed before another action in the past. For example, "She had kept the letter safe before she decided to read it."

Common error

Avoid using "had kept" when a simple past tense ("kept") is sufficient. "Had kept" is appropriate only when describing an action completed before another past action. Using it otherwise can make your writing sound awkward or unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had kept" functions as the past perfect tense of the verb "keep". It describes an action that was completed before another action in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Encyclopedias

2%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had kept" is a versatile phrase functioning as the past perfect tense of "keep", signaling an action completed before another in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, its neutral register makes it suitable for various writing styles. Remember to use "had kept" to clearly establish a sequence of events and avoid using it when a simple past tense would suffice. Consider alternatives like "had retained" or "had maintained" for subtle shifts in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had retained

Emphasizes the act of continuing to possess something.

had maintained

Highlights the effort involved in preserving a certain state or condition.

had preserved

Suggests protecting something from decay or harm.

had conserved

Implies careful management and avoidance of waste.

had held onto

Conveys a sense of determination or reluctance to let go.

had guarded

Focuses on protecting something against unwanted access or loss.

had secured

Highlights the action of ensuring something is safe and protected.

had controlled

Suggests managing or regulating something to keep it within certain limits.

had stockpiled

Implies accumulating a large quantity of something for future use.

had sustained

Indicates the ability to continue or prolong something.

FAQs

How is "had kept" used in a sentence?

The phrase "had kept" indicates an action completed in the past before another action also in the past. For example, "He "had kept the secret" until she asked him directly".

What are some alternatives to "had kept"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "had retained", "had maintained", or "had preserved" to convey similar meanings.

What's the difference between "had kept" and "kept"?

"Had kept" is past perfect, indicating an action completed before another past action. "Kept" is simple past, describing a single action in the past. For example, "She "had kept the book" before returning it" versus "She "kept the book" for a week".

When is it appropriate to use "had kept" instead of "was keeping"?

"Had kept" describes a completed action before another point in the past, while "was keeping" describes an ongoing action in the past. Consider, "She "had kept the food warm" before the guests arrived" versus "She "was keeping the food warm" all afternoon".