Keep – English Verbs Conjugation

keep keeps keeping kept

Keep means to continue having or doing. Irregular: keep-kept-kept.

Meanings

To continue having
To store
To continue doing
To maintain

Common Collocations

keep up keep in mind keep going keep track of keep your word

Tip for Learners

Irregular: keep-kept-kept. Many phrasal verbs: keep up = maintain pace. Keep in mind = remember. Keep your word = fulfill promise.

Present Simple

I	keep
you	keep
he/she/it	keeps
we	keep
they	keep

Examples - Present Simple

I keep all my important documents in a fireproof safe.
You keep your promises better than anyone I know.
She keeps a detailed journal of her daily activities.
We keep the tradition alive through annual celebrations.
They keep the secret hidden from everyone outside.

Present Continuous

I	am keeping
you	are keeping
he/she/it	is keeping
we	are keeping
they	are keeping

Examples - Present Continuous

I am keeping track of all expenses for the project.
You are keeping me informed about the developments.
He is keeping the children entertained during the wait.
We are keeping an eye on the weather for the event.
They are keeping quiet about the surprise party.

Present Perfect

I	have kept
you	have kept
he/she/it	has kept
we	have kept
they	have kept

Examples - Present Perfect

I have kept this secret for over twenty years.
You have kept your word throughout our partnership.
She has kept her cool under tremendous pressure.
We have kept the business running through difficult times.
They have kept their distance since the disagreement.

Present Perfect Continuous

I	have been keeping
you	have been keeping
he/she/it	has been keeping
we	have been keeping
they	have been keeping

Examples - Present Perfect Continuous

I have been keeping a gratitude journal for months.
You have been keeping track of the project's progress.
He has been keeping fit with daily exercise routines.
We have been keeping in touch despite the distance.
They have been keeping the tradition going for years.

Past Simple

I	kept
you	kept
he/she/it	kept
we	kept
they	kept

Examples - Past Simple

I kept the letter she wrote me years ago.
You kept your composure during the crisis excellently.
She kept the family together through hard times.
We kept the news confidential until the announcement.
They kept working despite the difficult conditions.

Past Continuous

I	was keeping
you	were keeping
he/she/it	was keeping
we	were keeping
they	were keeping

Examples - Past Continuous

I was keeping watch when the intruder appeared.
You were keeping score during the entire game.
He was keeping the children occupied all afternoon.
We were keeping our distance as advised.
They were keeping secrets from the rest of us.

Past Perfect

I	had kept
you	had kept
he/she/it	had kept
we	had kept
they	had kept

Examples - Past Perfect

I had kept the receipt before they asked for it.
You had kept your promise long before I doubted you.
She had kept the secret for years before revealing it.
We had kept records of everything before the audit.
They had kept the tradition alive before passing it on.

Past Perfect Continuous

I	had been keeping
you	had been keeping
he/she/it	had been keeping
we	had been keeping
they	had been keeping

Examples - Past Perfect Continuous

I had been keeping notes for years before writing the book.
You had been keeping track of progress before I joined.
He had been keeping the business afloat before the partnership.
We had been keeping in contact before the reunion.
They had been keeping the secret for decades.

Future Simple

I	will keep
you	will keep
he/she/it	will keep
we	will keep
they	will keep

Examples - Future Simple

I will keep your information completely confidential.
You will keep succeeding if you maintain this effort.
She will keep the children while we're away.
We will keep you updated on any developments.
They will keep the store open during renovations.

Future Continuous

I	will be keeping
you	will be keeping
he/she/it	will be keeping
we	will be keeping
they	will be keeping

Examples - Future Continuous

I will be keeping an eye on things while you're gone.
You will be keeping busy with all these responsibilities.
He will be keeping the engine running during the wait.
We will be keeping in touch throughout the journey.
They will be keeping the tradition going for years.

Future Perfect

I	will have kept
you	will have kept
he/she/it	will have kept
we	will have kept
they	will have kept

Examples - Future Perfect

I will have kept this promise for fifty years by then.
You will have kept your record intact through dedication.
She will have kept the company profitable by retirement.
We will have kept our commitment by project's end.
They will have kept the legacy alive for another generation.

Future Perfect Continuous

I	will have been keeping
you	will have been keeping
he/she/it	will have been keeping
we	will have been keeping
they	will have been keeping

Examples - Future Perfect Continuous

I will have been keeping this journal for ten years in May.
You will have been keeping track of data for a decade.
He will have been keeping the peace for twenty years.
We will have been keeping this tradition for a century.
They will have been keeping the secret for generations.