keep for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep for" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that something will be reserved or held for a future use or purpose. Example: "I can keep the leftover pizza for tomorrow's lunch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Keep — for the moment".

The New Yorker

It will keep for a week.

Independent

But Sundays we keep for ourselves.

The New York Times

It will keep for a week refrigerated.

Cornell University

They will keep for about one month.

Harvard University

Shrub will keep for several weeks.

The New York Times - Food

That lettuce will keep for three weeks.

The New York Times

The cordial should keep for a year.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It will keep for about 2 weeks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The alfajores will keep for several days.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Those they could keep for themselves.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "keep for" when you want to emphasize that something is being intentionally reserved or maintained for a specific purpose or time. For example, "We keep Sundays for family time."

Common error

Avoid using "keep for" without specifying a duration or the conditions needed for preservation. For example, instead of saying "This food will keep for later", specify "This food will keep for three days in the refrigerator."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep for" primarily functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the act of reserving or preserving something for a future purpose or time. Ludwig's examples show its usage in contexts ranging from food preservation to scheduling activities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Wiki

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "keep for" is a versatile phrasal verb used to express the act of reserving something for future use, whether it's leftovers, sundays, or important documents. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Wiki sources, and maintaining a neutral register. To ensure clarity, specify the duration or conditions for which something is being kept. By understanding its nuances and applying these guidelines, you can effectively use "keep for" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

store for later

Emphasizes the act of storing something specifically for a later time, which is similar to keeping it for future use.

reserve for future use

Highlights the act of setting something aside with the explicit intention of using it later.

save for a later date

Focuses on saving something with a specific future time in mind, adding a temporal dimension.

set aside for future

Highlights the action of allocating something for a future purpose, emphasizing the deliberate nature of the act.

hold in reserve

Implies maintaining something in a state of readiness for future deployment or consumption.

retain for future use

Focuses on maintaining possession of something with the intention of using it at a later time.

preserve for later

Emphasizes the act of maintaining something in its current state so it can be used in the future.

put aside for a rainy day

Specifically suggests saving something for a time of need or hardship in the future.

maintain for subsequent use

Highlights the ongoing effort to keep something in a usable condition for a future application.

keep in storage

Focuses on the physical act of storing something for an unspecified future purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "keep for" in a sentence?

Use "keep for" to indicate that something is being reserved or stored for a future purpose or time. For example, "I'll keep some cake for you" or "They keep Sundays for family activities".

What does "keep for" mean?

The phrase "keep for" means to reserve or store something for later use or a specific purpose. It implies an intention to maintain possession of something until a future time.

What are some alternatives to "keep for"?

You can use alternatives like "store for later", "reserve for future use", or "save for a later date" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "keep for" or "save for"?

Both "keep for" and "save for" are correct, but they can have slightly different connotations. "Keep for" often implies maintaining something in its current state, while "save for" suggests setting something aside specifically to use later.