kept

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'kept' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an auxiliary verb to form the past perfect or as an ordinary verb to indicate 'hold on to something'. Example: She had kept her collection of stamps since she was a child.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I kept wondering.

The Guardian - Books

I believe that she kept herself away simply because she wants to avoid the issue of West Papua being asked about".

The Guardian

Coming out on top with Here in My Heart was crooner Al Martino, who kept the No 1 spot for nine weeks on the first UK chart based on record sales.

The Guardian - Music

I took a bite off the sandwich and kept the rest in my hand till the guards collected the trash.

The Guardian

Some may ask for rent in advance while others will require a lump sum of money to be returned providing the house is well kept Read it back-to-front and get your university's student advice service or student union to check it over.

The Guardian

In the audience was the "candy bomber" Gail Halvorsen, now 92, who, as an American airforce pilot, dropped sweets to children during the 1948-49 Berlin airlift, which kept the city's population alive during the Soviet blockade and which became the strongest symbol of US-German friendship.

The Guardian

The outcome lifted the Bergamaschi to 12th and kept the bottom side Catania winless on the road this season.

The Guardian - Sport

"I kept asking for my boyfriend who was in the waiting room, and they just didn't bring him back.

The Guardian

The ball landed in the arms of the Harlequins centre, Joe Marchant, who acrobatically kept his feet clear of the touchline before touching down.

The Guardian - Sport

Ms Weissová-Hošková was introduced by the Nash's artistic director Amelia Freedman to an editor from Penguin, who commissioned the diaries Helga had kept as a child in Terezín, for publication this year – a major event, for such contemporary records (as opposed to memoirs) are rare.

The Guardian - Music

Bill Shorten said former New South Wales premier Neville Wran "kept the light on the hill burning brightly for Labor" as it was announced Wran will be given a state funeral.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the maintenance of a condition or standard, "kept" effectively conveys the effort involved: "The team kept the room clean."

Common error

Be mindful not to confuse "kept" with similar verbs like "hold" or "retain". "Kept" often implies ongoing action or sustained effort, whereas "hold" can be more static.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "kept" is as a verb, specifically the past tense and past participle of "keep". It describes the action of maintaining something or continuing in a particular state. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage in forming past tenses and expressing continuous actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "kept" functions as the past tense and past participle of the verb "keep", denoting the act of maintaining or continuing something. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and usability. With a high frequency across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, it represents a common and versatile term. The examples found by Ludwig illustrate its purpose in conveying the idea of preserving or continuing a state or action, reinforcing its importance in English communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintained

Focuses on continued preservation or upholding of a condition or object.

retained

Implies holding onto something, often after a period of time or change.

preserved

Emphasizes protecting something from damage or decay.

held

A more general term for keeping something in one's possession or control.

guarded

Suggests protecting something carefully from harm or theft.

conserved

Highlights the careful management and preservation of resources.

secured

Implies making something safe and preventing it from being lost or stolen.

stored

Indicates placing something in a specific location for safekeeping.

possessed

Focuses on ownership and control over something.

cared for

Implies looking after something and ensuring its well-being.

FAQs

How to use "kept" in a sentence?

"Kept" is the past tense and past participle of "keep". You can use it to describe maintaining something in a certain state or continuing an action. For example, "She "kept the secret"" or "He "kept running" even when he was tired."

What can I say instead of "kept"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "maintained", "retained", or "preserved". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "kept" or "keeped"?

"Kept" is the correct past tense and past participle of "keep". "Keeped" is not a standard English word.

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

"Kept" implies a continuous action or state, whereas "hold" can refer to a more momentary action of having something in one's possession. For example, "She "kept the appointment" (maintained it)" versus "He "held the door" (at that moment)".