keep

/kiːp/ (bre, ipa) · /kiːp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkēp/ (ame, mw)

keep — 動詞

  • keeppresent simple I / you / we / they
  • keepshe / she / it
  • keptpast simple
  • keeping-ing form

1. to hold on to something so that you still have it after a period of time, rather

1.動詞及物A2
釋義

保留

繼續持有不給出或丟棄

to hold on to something so that you still have it after a period of time, rather than giving it away, losing it, or throwing it out

例句

Élise kept all the letters her grandfather sent her from Senegal.

Élise 保留了祖父從塞內加爾寄給她的所有信件。

keep + direct object (letters)

You can keep the change — I do not need any coins back.

零錢不用找了——我不需要找零。

同義詞
  • hold on to

    more informal; often used in spoken English when asking someone not to give something away

  • retain

    more formal; common in legal or official contexts

  • save

    suggests keeping something for future use rather than holding indefinitely

反義詞
  • throw away

    to get rid of something as waste

  • discard

    more formal; to remove something no longer wanted

文法句型

keep + noun phrase

用法筆記

Frequently takes a concrete object (letter, receipt, ticket, copy). The opposite is "throw away" or "get rid of".

常見錯誤

❌I keeped the book for two years.
✅I kept the book for two years.
💡'keep' is an irregular verb (keep → kept → kept).
❌Please stay the receipt for your records.
✅Please keep the receipt for your records.
💡'stay' cannot replace 'keep' when the meaning is 'retain possession'.

2. to own and be responsible for running a small business where you serve customers

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

經營

擁有並管理小型店鋪或餐館

to own and be responsible for running a small business where you serve customers, such as a shop, café, or restaurant

例句

Uncle Roy kept a small bookshop in Oxford for nearly thirty years.

Roy 叔叔在牛津經營一家小書店長達近三十年。

keep + a [type of] shop — British usage

Amihan's family kept a corner shop that sold fresh bread and newspapers.

Amihan 家裡經營一家雜貨店，販售新鮮麵包和報紙。

同義詞
  • run

    the usual word for managing any type of business, large or small

  • own

    focuses on possession rather than daily management

文法句型

keep + shop/restaurant/café

用法筆記

Common in British English; used with small, often family-run shops rather than large department stores or chains. "Run" is more common for larger businesses; "keep" suggests a traditional, personal operation.

常見錯誤

❌She keeps a supermarket near the station.
✅She runs a supermarket near the station.
💡'keep' is not used for large stores, only small shops.
❌He keeps a software company.
✅He runs a software company.
💡'keep' is not used for non-retail businesses.

3. to have farm animals or birds on your land and provide them with food and shelte

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

飼養

擁有並照顧農場動物以取得產品

to have farm animals or birds on your land and provide them with food and shelter, usually for the eggs, milk, meat, or wool they produce — for example, keeping chickens for their eggs

例句

The Watanabe family keeps goats for milk and cheese on their small farm.

渡邊家在他們的小農場裡養山羊，以取得羊奶和乳酪。

keep + animal + for + purpose

More people in the city have started keeping chickens in their back gardens.

越來越多的城市居民開始在自家後院養雞。

同義詞
  • raise

    more common in American English; emphasises the process of helping animals grow

  • breed

    specifically focuses on producing the next generation of animals

文法句型

keep + animal type (plural)

用法筆記

Refers to animals kept for practical purposes (food, wool, eggs) rather than household pets. Use "have a pet" or "own a dog/cat" for domestic companion animals.

常見錯誤

❌We keep a dog and two cats in our flat.
✅We have a dog and two cats in our flat.
💡'keep' for pet animals sounds unnatural; use 'have' or 'own'.
❌She keeps goldfish in a bowl on her desk.
✅She has a goldfish in a bowl on her desk.
💡small pets in the home use 'have', not 'keep'.

4. to look after someone else's children in your home during the time the parents a

4.動詞及物B1
釋義

照顧；看管

在父母不在時代為看管孩子

to look after someone else's children in your home during the time the parents are not able to be with them

例句

Mrs. Okafor kept the neighbour's twins while the parents attended a funeral.

Okafor 太太在鄰居去參加葬禮時幫忙照顧他們的雙胞胎。

keep + child/children — babysitting sense

During the summer holidays, Nkechi kept her cousin's two boys for a whole week.

暑假期間，Nkechi 照顧她表姐的兩個男孩整整一個星期。

同義詞
  • look after

    more common and neutral; can refer to children, elderly, or property

  • babysit

    specifically means watching children for a short period, often in the evening

文法句型

keep + noun phrase (children)

用法筆記

Primarily British usage. The more common term worldwide is "look after" or "babysit". The focus is on looking after children in the carer's home (rather than going to the parents' house).

常見錯誤

❌Can you keep my children tonight?' (ambiguous without context)
✅Can you look after my children tonight?
💡'look after' is clearer and more widely understood.

5. to behave in the way you said you would, making sure you carry out a commitment

5.動詞及物B2
釋義

遵守；履行

按照承諾去做而不食言

to behave in the way you said you would, making sure you carry out a commitment you made to someone else rather than ignoring it

例句

Aarav promised to help with the move, and he kept his word.

Aarav 答應幫忙搬家，而他遵守了諾言。

keep + [possessive] word — fulfil a promise

If you cannot keep your promise, you should tell people sooner rather than later.

如果你無法遵守承諾，你應該儘早告訴對方。

同義詞
  • fulfil

    more formal; common in written and professional contexts

  • honour

    formal; often used in legal or ceremonial contexts

反義詞
  • break

    the direct opposite — 'break a promise' means you do not do what you said you would

文法句型

keep + promise/word/appointment/commitment

用法筆記

The most common objects are "promise", "word", "commitment", and "agreement". It is less natural to say "keep an arrangement" — use "keep an appointment" (sense 6) or simply "stick to an arrangement".

常見錯誤

❌She did not do what she said, so she did not maintain her promise.
✅She did not do what she said, so she did not keep her promise.
💡'maintain' is not used with 'promise'; the fixed collocation is 'keep a promise'.

6. to be present at a planned meeting, appointment, or event at the agreed time, ra

6.動詞及物B1
釋義

赴約

按約定時間出席會議或活動

to be present at a planned meeting, appointment, or event at the agreed time, rather than cancelling or simply not going

例句

Christopher kept his dental appointment even though he felt nervous about it.

Christopher 雖然感到緊張，仍然依約去看了牙醫。

keep + appointment — followed by even though concession

Eitan always keeps his meetings with clients, no matter how busy he gets.

Eitan 無論多忙，都一定會依約與客戶會面。

同義詞
  • attend

    more formal; focuses on being present rather than honouring a prior arrangement

  • show up for

    informal; simply means arriving at a scheduled event

反義詞
  • miss

    to not be present at a scheduled event, whether intentionally or not

  • cancel

    to officially decide that the event will not happen

文法句型

keep + appointment/meeting/date

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 5: sense 5 is about promises you make to do something ("keep a promise"), while sense 6 is about physically attending scheduled events ("keep an appointment"). The two overlap in "keep a date".

常見錯誤

❌ 'I could not keep my appointment yesterday because I was sick.' (correct) — This is actually correct. A more common phrasing is 'I missed my appointment'.

7. to regularly put facts, events, or numbers into a written or digital record for

7.動詞及物B2
釋義

記錄；記下

定期書面記錄事件或資訊

to regularly put facts, events, or numbers into a written or digital record for future reference.

例句

Sirin keeps a diary every night before she goes to sleep.

Sirin 每天晚上睡覺前都會寫日記。

keep + a diary (record of personal events)

The accountant kept detailed records of every payment the company received last year.

會計師詳細記錄了公司去年收到的每一筆款項。

keep + detailed records of [something]

同義詞
  • record

    more general; 'keep' emphasises the ongoing habit while 'record' can be a single action

  • maintain

    more formal, common in business or official contexts

  • document

    suggests detailed, formal written evidence

反義詞
  • discard

    to throw away a record or information

文法句型

keep + noun (a diary, records, a journal, a log, accounts)

用法筆記

The object is typically a written or digital record such as a diary, journal, log, account, or list. Not used with spoken or unrecorded information — use 'remember' instead.

常見錯誤

❌I kept a memory of what she said.
✅I kept a record of what she said.
💡'keep a memory' is unnatural; use 'keep a record' for written notes or 'remember' for things in your mind.

8. to protect information that someone has entrusted or confided in you by not tell

8.動詞及物B1
釋義

保密；守密

不洩露知道的秘密

to protect information that someone has entrusted or confided in you by not telling anyone else, honouring the personal trust that person placed in you.

例句

Mert promised to keep his sister's surprise party a secret.

Mert 答應要保守他姊姊驚喜派對的秘密。

keep + [something] + a secret (object + complement structure)

A good lawyer keeps all client information confidential.

一位好的律師會對所有客戶的資訊保密。

keep + [noun] + confidential (adjective complement)

同義詞
  • conceal

    more formal; does not require that the information was confided

  • withhold

    formal; suggests deliberately not giving information

  • hide

    broader; can refer to objects or feelings, not just secrets

反義詞
  • reveal

    to make a secret known

  • tell

    general word for sharing information

文法句型

keep + a/one's/this secret

keep + noun + secret (object + complement)

用法筆記

Often used with an object-complement structure (keep something secret, confidential, quiet). The preposition 'from' introduces the person who is not told.

常見錯誤

❌I kept secret for my friend.
✅I kept my friend's secret.
💡'keep a secret' needs an article or possessive before 'secret'.

9. used to say that a timekeeping device tells the right hour and minute as the day

9.動詞不及物B1
釋義

時間準確

時鐘顯示正確時間

used to say that a timekeeping device tells the right hour and minute as the days pass, with very little error.

例句

My old wristwatch still keeps excellent time after twenty years.

我的舊手錶用了二十年，時間仍然非常準確。

keep + adjective + time (pattern for clock accuracy)

The grandfather clock in the hallway does not keep good time anymore.

走廊裡的老爺鐘已經不太準時了。

同義詞
  • run

    broader, e.g. 'my watch runs fast/slow' — doesn't specify accuracy

  • tell the time

    refers to showing the current time at a given moment, not ongoing accuracy

反義詞
  • run slow

    to show an earlier time than the real time

  • run fast

    to show a later time than the real time

文法句型

keep + adverb (good, perfect, accurate) + time

用法筆記

Subject is always a timekeeping device — watch, clock, timer. The verb is intransitive; the phrase 'keep time' functions as a unit. Frequently used with intensifying adjectives: good, perfect, accurate, excellent.

常見錯誤

❌My watch keeps time well.
✅My watch keeps good time.
💡Native speakers use 'keep good/perfect/excellent time' rather than 'keep time well.'

10. to mark or count the passing moments, usually done by a clock, timer, or other d

10.動詞不及物B1
釋義

計時

以規律方式標記時間流逝

to mark or count the passing moments, usually done by a clock, timer, or other device that moves at a steady rate.

例句

The old wooden clock in the tower has kept time for over a hundred years.

鐘樓裡那座老木鐘已經計時超過一百年了。

An hourglass keeps time by letting sand flow from one glass bulb to another.

沙漏透過讓沙子從一個玻璃球流到另一個來計算時間。

keep time by [method/mechanism]

同義詞
  • count time

    more literal; less common in everyday speech

  • measure time

    broader, can refer to any method of time measurement

文法句型

keep time

用法筆記

Distinct from sense 9: this sense describes the mechanism of counting time (how a device measures seconds/minutes), while sense 9 describes whether a clock shows the correct time. The subject is the device itself, not a person.

常見錯誤

❌ 'The referee kept time during the match.' — that is sense 12 (TRACK EVENTS), not this sense. This sense applies to a device that measures the passage of time, not a person timing an event.

11. to produce a sound or perform a movement that matches the regular pulse you hear

11.動詞及物B1
釋義

打拍子；合拍

依音樂節奏發出聲音或動作

to produce a sound or perform a movement that matches the regular pulse you hear when a song is played.

例句

The children kept the rhythm by clapping their hands together in class.

孩子們在課堂上一起拍手打節奏。

keep + the rhythm (musical context)

Jabari found it hard to keep the beat during the fast drum solo.

Jabari 發現在快速的鼓獨奏中很難跟上拍子。

keep + the beat during [musical section]

同義詞
  • follow the beat

    similar but implies listening rather than actively producing the rhythm

  • stay on beat

    informal, common in modern music contexts

反義詞
  • lose the beat

    to fall out of sync with the music's rhythm

  • rush

    to play or sing faster than the correct tempo

文法句型

keep + the beat / rhythm / time

用法筆記

The object is always a musical timing concept: the beat, the rhythm, or time. The subject is usually a musician, dancer, or conductor. 'Keep time' here (sense 11) means follow the musical pulse — distinct from senses 9 and 10 which involve clocks.

12. to measure and record how long an activity or event lasts, making sure it starts

12.動詞及物B1
釋義

計時；限時

計量活動或事件持續時間

to measure and record how long an activity or event lasts, making sure it starts and finishes within the allowed period.

例句

The referee kept time during the basketball game with a stopwatch.

裁判用碼錶在籃球比賽中計時。

keep time during [event] with [device]

A volunteer kept time for each speaker at the debate competition.

一名志工在辯論比賽中為每位講者計時。

keep time for [participant/event]

同義詞
  • time

    the verb 'time' is more direct and specific — 'She timed the race'

  • clock

    informal verb — 'He clocked the runners as they finished'

文法句型

keep time

keep time for [event]

用法筆記

Subject is a person (referee, coach, volunteer, teacher) who tracks time for an event. Distinct from sense 10 (a device measuring the passage of time) and sense 9 (a clock showing correct time). This sense always has a person as the subject and an event or activity as the context.

13. to act as the last defender in sports such as football, hockey, or cricket, with

13.動詞不及物B2
釋義

守門；把關

在球類運動中防守球門

to act as the last defender in sports such as football, hockey, or cricket, with the job of stopping the opposing team from scoring by blocking or catching the ball.

例句

Sivan has kept goal for the national team since she turned eighteen.

Sivan 從十八歲起就為國家隊守門。

keep goal — act as goalkeeper

Owen kept wicket for his school team during the summer championship final.

Owen 在校際錦標賽決賽中擔任板球隊的守門員。

keep wicket — act as wicket-keeper in cricket

同義詞
  • guard

    broader meaning; 'guard the goal' is possible but less idiomatic in British sports English

  • defend

    refers to the whole team's defensive effort, not the specialised goalkeeper role

文法句型

keep + goal/wicket

用法筆記

Only used with a limited set of objects: 'keep goal' (football/hockey), 'keep wicket' (cricket). The object cannot be a person — you keep goal, not 'keep the goalkeeper'.

常見錯誤

❌He keeps goalkeeper for the team.
✅He keeps goal for the team.
💡'keep goal' is the fixed expression; you do not name the position as a person.

14. to not change from one state or position to a different one — for example, a per

14.動詞及物 / 不及物A2
釋義

保持；維持

使保持某種狀態或情況

to not change from one state or position to a different one — for example, a person who keeps warm by wearing extra clothes, or who keeps a room tidy by putting things back where they belong. It can also mean making another person or thing stay that way.

例句

Haruto kept his hands warm by putting them in his coat pockets.

Haruto 把手放進大衣口袋來保暖。

keep + object + adjective: keep [sth] warm

Please keep the kitchen door closed so the smell does not spread.

請讓廚房門保持關閉，以免味道擴散。

keep + object + adjective: keep [sth] closed

同義詞
  • stay

    used without an object; 'stay warm' but not 'stay the door closed'

  • remain

    more formal than 'keep' or 'stay'; 'remain calm' is common in written instructions

反義詞
  • change

    to move from one state to another

  • alter

    to make different in condition

文法句型

keep + adjective

keep + object + adjective

keep + object + prepositional phrase

用法筆記

Commonly followed by an adjective (keep calm, keep safe, keep warm) or by an object + adjective/complement (keep the door shut, keep everyone informed). Can also take a prepositional phrase after the object (keep the dog in the garden).

常見錯誤

❌Keep safety during the trip.
✅Stay safe during the trip.' or 'Keep yourself safe during the trip.
💡'keep' without an object needs an adjective, not a noun; 'stay' + adjective is also possible.

15. to actively prevent a fact, detail, or piece of news from becoming known to othe

15.動詞及物B1
釋義

隱瞞

不讓人知道某消息或行蹤

to actively prevent a fact, detail, or piece of news from becoming known to others — for example, by deliberately keeping quiet about a decision, suppressing a report, or not revealing where something or someone is.

例句

Selim promised to keep the surprise party a secret from his sister.

Selim 答應對他妹妹保密驚喜派對的事。

keep [sth] a secret from [sb]

Can you keep quiet about the promotion until the manager makes the announcement?

在經理宣布之前，你能先別說升職的事嗎？

keep quiet about [sth]

同義詞
  • conceal

    more formal; 'conceal the truth' sounds deliberate and serious

  • hide

    often physical; 'hide the gift' but 'keep the plan secret' is more natural for information

  • withhold

    formal; implies holding back information that someone has a right to know

反義詞
  • reveal

    to make something known that was hidden

  • disclose

    formal; to give out information

文法句型

keep + object + secret/quiet/hidden

keep + object + from + person

用法筆記

Often takes a secondary complement describing the manner of concealment: 'keep it secret', 'keep it quiet', 'keep it hidden'. The source of concealment is introduced by 'from': 'keep the news from your parents.'

16. to carry on an action with no break, or to repeat the same activity over and ove

16.動詞不及物B1
釋義

繼續；一直

不停做某件事或重複做

to carry on an action with no break, or to repeat the same activity over and over — for instance, a person who keeps checking their phone, or rain that keeps falling all day.

例句

The baby kept crying even after Ignacio picked her up and tried to comfort her.

Ignacio 把寶寶抱起來安撫，但她還是哭個不停。

keep + verb-ing: kept crying

Keep trying and you will eventually learn how to ride a bicycle.

繼續嘗試，你總會學會怎麼騎腳踏車的。

keep + verb-ing as encouragement

同義詞
  • continue

    more formal; 'continue working' sounds more deliberate than 'keep working'

  • carry on

    phrasal verb; similar register to 'keep' — 'carry on talking'

反義詞
  • stop

    to cease doing something

  • quit

    to stop an activity, often permanently

文法句型

keep + verb-ing

用法筆記

Always followed by the -ing form of another verb. Never use the infinitive (keep + to + verb is incorrect in this sense). The action can be continuous (kept raining all day) or repeated (kept forgetting the key).

常見錯誤

❌She keeps to call me every day.
✅She keeps calling me every day.
💡'keep' in this sense must be followed by a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive.

17. to continue physically moving along a specific path, road, or compass direction

17.動詞不及物B1
釋義

繼續走

沿著路線或方向持續前進

to continue physically moving along a specific path, road, or compass direction without turning off or changing course — for example, keeping straight ahead along a trail, or keeping on the main road through the next town.

例句

Keep going straight until you see the old church with the tall bell tower.

繼續直走，直到你看到那座有高鐘樓的古老教堂。

keep going — continue moving

Antonia kept on walking even after the sun went down behind the hills.

太陽下山後，Antonia 還是繼續往前走。

keep on + verb-ing: kept on walking

同義詞
  • continue

    more formal; 'continue along the path'

  • carry on

    phrasal verb with similar meaning; 'carry on up the hill'

反義詞
  • stop

    to halt movement or progress

  • turn off

    to leave a particular route or path

文法句型

keep on + verb-ing

keep + adverb of direction

keep + prepositional phrase of route/direction

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 16 ('KEEP DOING'): sense 16 emphasises continuing an action without stopping (keep talking), while sense 17 emphasises maintaining a direction or route (keep on the road, keep going straight). 'Keep on' as a two-word form also works with -ing verbs when the focus is on perseverance rather than simple continuation.

18. to manage to continue with an activity or to live in a normal way despite seriou

18.動詞不及物B2
釋義

撐下去；堅持

在困難中繼續生活或做事

to manage to continue with an activity or to live in a normal way despite serious difficulties or hardship — for example, a family keeping their small shop running after a fire, or a student keeping up with their studies while ill.

例句

After losing her job, Asher's mother somehow kept going through the difficult months.

Asher 的媽媽在失業後，還是撐過了那段艱難的日子。

keep going — persevere through hardship

The small bakery kept running even after the cost of flour increased sharply.

即使麵粉價格大幅上漲，那家小麵包店還是繼續營業。

同義詞
  • persevere

    more formal; 'persevere with your training'

  • carry on

    phrasal verb with the same nuance of effort; 'carry on despite the setbacks'

  • struggle on

    emphasises the difficulty; 'struggle on through the pain'

反義詞
  • give up

    to stop trying because the situation is too difficult

  • quit

    to stop doing something, often permanently

文法句型

keep + verb-ing

keep going

keep + adverb/prepositional phrase

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 16 ('KEEP DOING'): sense 16 describes simple continuation of an action (keep talking, keep raining) without implying difficulty. Sense 18 ('PERSEVERE') implies effort or hardship — the speaker knows the situation is tough but the person continues anyway. Often appears as 'keep going' or 'keep it up' in encouraging contexts.

19. to provide a person with enough money, food, or encouragement (keep + object + g

19.動詞及物B2
釋義

支撐

在困難時期提供支持

to provide a person with enough money, food, or encouragement (keep + object + going/alive/up) so that they do not fail, collapse, or give up during a difficult period

例句

The part-time job paid just enough to keep the family going during the recession.

那份兼職工作賺的錢剛好夠維持這家人在經濟蕭條期間的生活。

keep + object + going (through difficulty)

A few kind words from the nurse kept Tendai's spirits up after the surgery.

護士說了幾句溫暖的話，讓 Tendai 在手術後保持鬥志昂揚。

keep + object + adverb particle (spirits up)

同義詞
  • sustain

    more formal; often used in writing about long-term support

  • support

    broader meaning; can refer to emotional or financial help

  • carry through

    phrasal verb; emphasises helping someone complete or survive something

文法句型

keep + someone + going/alive/up

keep + someone + prepositional phrase

用法筆記

The object is always a person or a group of people. Common second elements after the object include 'going', 'alive', 'up' (spirits up), or a prepositional phrase describing a situation (e.g. 'at university', 'in school').

常見錯誤

❌The money kept the business to survive the crisis.
✅The money kept the business going through the crisis.
💡'keep' in this sense takes an adjective or '-ing' form, not a to-infinitive.

20. to give a person or an organisation a small amount of food or money that is just

20.動詞及物B2
釋義

墊肚子；暫度

少量食物或金錢暫時應付

to give a person or an organisation a small amount of food or money that is just enough for a short time, until they can get more

例句

A bowl of soup kept Nikos going until dinner was ready.

一碗湯讓 Nikos 暫時墊了肚子，撐到晚餐準備好。

keep + object + going (temporary provision)

The small loan from his brother kept Christopher's shop running for another week.

Christopher 從哥哥那裡借到的小額貸款讓他的店又多撐了一個禮拜。

keep + object + running (for a business)

同義詞
  • tide over

    phrasal verb; more specific and idiomatic for this exact meaning

  • sustain

    more formal and implies longer-term support

  • support

    broader meaning, not limited to temporary bridging

文法句型

keep + someone + going

keep + someone + from + being hungry

用法筆記

Often appears in the pattern 'keep + object + going' with a time phrase. The provided amount is always understood to be minimal — just enough to bridge a temporary gap. Frequently used in everyday speech about food ('this will keep me going until lunch').

常見錯誤

❌This money will keep the company to operate for a few days.
✅This money will keep the company going for a few days.
💡Use '-ing' form, not a to-infinitive, after the object in this sense.

21. to actively look after a system, service, tradition, or machine (keep + object +

21.動詞及物B2
釋義

維持

使系統、傳統繼續運作

to actively look after a system, service, tradition, or machine (keep + object + running/alive/open) by regularly cleaning, repairing, or investing effort so that it continues to function properly instead of falling into disrepair

例句

The local library needs more volunteers to keep the reading programme running.

當地圖書館需要更多志工才能讓閱讀計畫持續運作下去。

keep + object + -ing (running)

Hao keeps the old tradition alive by teaching his children the songs his grandmother sang to him.

Hao 把祖母唱給他聽的歌教給自己的孩子，讓這項傳統得以延續。

keep + object + adjective (alive)

同義詞
  • maintain

    more formal; the closest single-word synonym

  • preserve

    focuses on keeping something in its original state; often used for traditions and heritage

  • continue

    can be used intransitively; does not require the object + complement pattern

反義詞
  • stop

    to cause something to cease operating

  • abandon

    to give up a practice or tradition permanently

文法句型

keep + object + alive/running/open/going

用法筆記

The object is typically an organisation, system, activity, machine, or tradition — not a person. Frequently used in the pattern 'keep + object + adjective' where the adjective describes the desired state (open, alive, running, active).

常見錯誤

❌We need more money to keep to run the school.
✅We need more money to keep the school running.
💡Do not insert 'to' between 'keep' and the object; the object comes directly after 'keep'.

22. to cause someone to arrive late somewhere, or to stop them from leaving a place

22.動詞及物B1
釋義

耽擱；耽誤

使某人遲到或無法離開

to cause someone to arrive late somewhere, or to stop them from leaving a place or doing something they planned to do

例句

The head teacher kept Owen after class to discuss his falling grades.

校長把 Owen 留了下來，討論他成績下滑的問題。

keep + object + adverbial (after class)

Sorry I am late — a long phone call from the office kept me at my desk.

抱歉我遲到了——公司打來的一通長電話把我耽擱在辦公桌前。

同義詞
  • detain

    more formal; often used in official contexts like police or airport situations

  • delay

    focuses on the time lost rather than the act of preventing departure

  • hold up

    phrasal verb; informal and very common in spoken English

反義詞
  • release

    to allow someone to leave or go free

  • let go

    informal phrasal verb meaning to allow someone to leave

文法句型

keep + someone

keep + someone + from + -ing

keep + someone + adverbial phrase

用法筆記

Frequently used with a reason phrase explaining what caused the delay. The pattern 'keep + object + from + -ing' specifically means 'prevent someone from doing something'. In everyday conversation, 'kept me late' is a common short form ('The meeting kept me late').

常見錯誤

❌The traffic jam kept me to wait for two hours.
✅The traffic jam kept me waiting for two hours.
💡After 'keep' in this sense, use an '-ing' form, not a to-infinitive.
❌What kept you so long?' (okay in casual speech, but wordier than necessary).
✅What kept you?
💡The short form is idiomatic and preferred.

23. if news or information can keep, it does not need to be dealt with straight away

23.動詞不及物B2
釋義

不急；可等

消息可以晚點再說

if news or information can keep, it does not need to be dealt with straight away and can wait until a more convenient time without causing any problem

例句

Your news sounds important, but can it keep until lunchtime?

你的消息聽起來很重要，但可以等到午餐時間再說嗎？

can keep + until + time (question form)

The decision about the school budget can keep until the board meets next week.

學校預算的決定可以等到董事會下週開會再說。

同義詞
  • wait

    simpler and more general; can replace 'keep' in most cases ('the news can wait')

  • hold

    less common; slightly more formal ('let the news hold until morning')

文法句型

news/information + can/can't keep

something + can keep + until/till + time

用法筆記

Only used with modal-like expressions: 'can/can't keep', 'will/won't keep', or 'could/couldn't keep'. Never used in progressive forms ('it is keeping') or with a direct object. The subject is always abstract information — news, a question, a decision, a message.

常見錯誤

❌The news keeps until tomorrow.
✅The news can keep until tomorrow.
💡A modal verb (can/will) is needed; this sense does not work in simple present without a modal.
❌I will keep the news until tomorrow.
✅In this sense 'keep' is intransitive
💡the news itself keeps. If you want to say you personally delay telling someone, use a different sense or rephrase: 'I will keep the news until tomorrow' (sense 8, HIDE).

24. if food keeps, it does not go bad or spoil for a period of time, staying in good

24.動詞不及物B2
釋義

保鮮；保存

食物保持新鮮不壞

if food keeps, it does not go bad or spoil for a period of time, staying in good enough condition to eat or use

例句

Fresh milk will not keep for more than four or five days in warm weather.

新鮮牛奶在天氣熱的時候放不了四五天以上。

keep + for + time period

The leftover rice kept well in the fridge and was still good the next morning.

剩飯在冰箱裡保存得很好，隔天早上還是可以吃。

keep + adverb (well)

同義詞
  • last

    more general; can be used for both food and non-food items

  • stay fresh

    more explicit about quality; commonly used in cooking contexts

  • remain edible

    very formal; rare in everyday speech

反義詞
  • spoil

    the most common opposite for food going bad

  • go bad

    informal phrasal verb; very common in spoken English

  • rot

    stronger; suggests the food has decayed thoroughly

文法句型

food + keeps + for + time

food + keeps + adverb (well/badly/long)

用法筆記

Intransitive only — the food is the subject, and there is no object. Commonly appears with time expressions ('keep for three days', 'keep well into next week') and adverbs of quality ('keeps well/badly/beautifully'). Often used in conditional or imperative instructions about food storage.

常見錯誤

❌I kept the vegetables in the fridge for a week.' (This uses a different sense — keep = store)
✅The vegetables kept in the fridge for a week.
💡In THIS sense, the food is the subject and there is no object. If you are the subject storing food, you are using sense 21 (MAINTAIN) or the literal storing sense.
❌Fish cannot keep for long.' (technically correct but rare in questions)
✅Fish does not keep for long.
💡The negative using 'does not' is more natural than 'cannot' for food storage duration.

25. to give someone the money, food, and shelter they need to live

25.動詞及物C1
釋義

養活

供給基本生活所需

to give someone the money, food, and shelter they need to live

例句

After the factory closed, Baraka could not keep his family on his savings alone.

工廠關閉後，Baraka 無法單靠積蓄養活家人。

keep + family (typical object collocation)

The weekly food parcel was enough to keep Mr. Quan for only a few days.

每週的食物包裹只夠養活 Quan 先生幾天。

keep + person (direct object pattern)

同義詞
  • support

    broader meaning — can include emotional support, not just financial; more common than 'keep' in this sense

  • provide for

    more formal and implies a sense of responsibility; often used in legal or formal contexts

  • sustain

    more formal or literary; suggests maintaining someone over a long period

反義詞
  • neglect

    to fail to give someone the care or support they need

  • abandon

    to leave someone without any support at all

文法句型

keep + object (person)

用法筆記

Object is always a person (or oneself). Often implies providing the bare necessities rather than a comfortable standard of living.

常見錯誤

❌He works hard to keep his car running.
✅He works hard to keep his family.
💡In this sense, 'keep' is used for people's basic living needs, not for objects.
❌She keeps her grandmother company every weekend.
✅She keeps her grandmother by paying for her food and rent.
💡'Keep someone company' is a different sense of 'keep' (meaning to accompany). This sense specifically means to provide financial support.

keep — 名詞