i was keeping

USAGE SUMMARY

"I was keeping" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to express that something was done for a certain period of time. Example sentence: I was keeping a close eye on the clock, waiting for the end of the day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I was keeping house.

The Guardian

I was keeping her place.

The New Yorker

I was keeping my eye on him.

The Guardian - Sport

"I was keeping a low profile, anyway.

The Guardian - Film

I told him I was keeping the notebook.

The New Yorker

But at least I was keeping it real," he smiles.

The Guardian - Music

"They died in here, while I was keeping the bar".

The Guardian

"I was a lovely man when I was keeping quiet.

The Guardian

In effect, I was keeping Tessa to myself.

The New Yorker

They escaped from the bag I was keeping them in".

The New York Times - Arts

I was keeping long hours and making decisions, just like any other executive.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, think about the nuance. "I was keeping watch" implies vigilance, whereas "I was keeping it secret" implies concealment. Choose the phrase that best represents the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "I was keeping" when referring to a current state. For ongoing actions, use "I am keeping". For example, say "I am keeping the secret" instead of "I was keeping the secret" if you are still actively concealing it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i was keeping" functions as a past continuous verb phrase, indicating an action of maintaining, holding, or preserving that was in progress at a specific time or over a period in the past. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "i was keeping" is a grammatically correct and very common past continuous verb phrase used to describe an ongoing action in the past. As Ludwig confirms, it is primarily found in news and media, formal business contexts, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a continuous or sustained action, and avoid using it for present actions or completed events. Consider alternatives like "i maintained" or "i preserved" for subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i used to keep

Focuses on a past habit or action of keeping something, changing the tense and potentially the duration.

i had been keeping

Emphasizes the continuous nature of keeping something up to a certain point in the past.

i maintained

Replaces "keeping" with a more formal verb suggesting consistent effort to preserve something.

i held on to

Implies clinging to something, either physically or emotionally.

i preserved

Suggests taking active steps to protect something from decay or loss.

i retained

Focuses on keeping possession of something, often in a legal or formal context.

i secured

Highlights the action of making something safe or ensuring its possession.

i was guarding

Emphasizes protecting something from harm or unwanted access.

i watched over

Implies care and supervision while keeping something.

i took care of

Focuses on the responsibility and effort involved in keeping something in good condition.

FAQs

How do I use "i was keeping" in a sentence?

Use "i was keeping" to describe a continuous action of maintaining, holding, or preserving something in the past. For example, "I was keeping a journal during my travels" indicates you consistently wrote in it over a period of time.

What can I say instead of "i was keeping"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "i maintained", "i preserved", or "i held onto" to convey a similar meaning. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to express.

Is it correct to say "i was keep" instead of "i was keeping"?

No, "i was keep" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "i was keeping", which uses the past continuous tense of the verb "to keep".

What's the difference between "i was keeping" and "i kept"?

"I was keeping" implies a continuous action over a period of time in the past, while "i kept" suggests a completed action or a general habit in the past. For example, "I was keeping the fire going all night" versus "I kept a diary when I was younger".