Continue vs. Keep: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 3, 2023
"Continue" generally refers to the act of persisting in an activity or motion, whereas "Keep" has a broader meaning that can refer to retaining, maintaining, or persisting in an action or state.
Key Differences
"Continue" is often used to indicate the extension or prolongation of an activity, event, or process. When someone says, "continue writing," it implies that the act of writing should persist without interruption. In contrast, "Keep" can imply a broader set of actions including retaining something, like "keep the change," or maintaining a condition, as in "keep quiet."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Both words can often be used interchangeably when referring to the act of persisting, but their usage diverges in other contexts. For example, you can "continue walking," and also "keep walking," but only "keep" would be appropriate when saying "keep this secret." "Continue" implies an ongoing process, while "keep" may imply preservation or maintenance.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Grammatically, "Continue" is primarily used as a verb, and often requires an infinitive or gerund to complete its meaning, e.g., "continue to read." "Keep" can also function as a verb and, similar to "continue," can require additional words for clarification. However, "keep" is also sometimes used as a noun, as in "for keeps."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
In summary, "Continue" is generally used to indicate the ongoing nature of an activity, while "Keep" can refer not only to continuation but also to the maintenance or retention of a condition, object, or state. These words, though related, have nuances that make them distinct in various contexts.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Comparison Chart
Primary Use
Extension or prolongation of an activity
Retaining, maintaining or persisting
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
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Continue and Keep Definitions
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Continue
To go on with a particular action or in a particular condition; persist
We continued until the job was finished.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
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Continue
To remain in the same state, capacity, or place
She continued as mayor for a second term.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
To go on after an interruption; resume
The negotiations continued after a break for dinner.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
To extend in a given direction
The stream continues for another five miles before it reaches the lake.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To provide (a family, for example) with maintenance and support
"There's little to earn and many to keep" (Charles Kingsley).
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
To carry on; persist in
The police will continue their investigation. I continued reading all afternoon.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
To carry further in time, space, or development; extend
The builder will continue the road right through the swamp.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
To cause to remain or last; retain or maintain
Are you continuing the prescription? The team continued its dominance over its opponents.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
To carry on after an interruption; resume
After a break for lunch, we continued our hike.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
(transitive) To proceed with doing an activity; to prolong an activity.
Shall I continue speaking, or will you just interrupt me again?
Do you want me to continue to unload these?
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
(transitive) To retain someone or something in a given state, position, etc.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To cause to continue in a state, condition, or course of action
Tried to keep the patient calm.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
To remain in a given place or condition; to remain in connection with; to abide; to stay.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
To adjourn, prorogue, put off.
This meeting has been continued to the thirteenth of July.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To restrain
Kept the child away from the stove.
Kept the crowd back with barriers.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
(video games) An option allowing the player to resume play after game over, when all lives have been lost, while retaining their progress.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
To remain in a given place or condition; to remain in connection with; to abide; to stay.
Here to continue, and build up hereA growing empire.
They continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
To be permanent or durable; to endure; to last.
But now thy kingdom shall not continue.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
To be steadfast or constant in any course; to persevere; to abide; to endure; to persist; to keep up or maintain a particular condition, course, or series of actions; as, the army continued to advance.
If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
To unite; to connect.
The use of the navel is to continue the infant unto the mother.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
To protract or extend in duration; to preserve or persist in; to cease not.
O continue thy loving kindness unto them that know thee.
You know how to make yourself happy by only continuing such a life as you have been long accustomed to lead.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
To carry onward or extend; to prolong or produce; to add to or draw out in length.
A bridge of wond'rous length,From hell continued, reaching th' utmost orbof this frail world.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To remain in a state or condition; stay
Keep in line.
Keep quiet.
Kept well.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
To retain; to suffer or cause to remain; as, the trustees were continued; also, to suffer to live.
And how shall we continue Claudio.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
Continue a certain state, condition, or activity;
Keep on working!
We continued to work into the night
Keep smiling
We went on working until well past midnight
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
Continue with one's activities;
I know it's hard,
But there is no choice
Carry on--pretend we are not in the room
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To restrain oneself; hold oneself back
I couldn't keep from eavesdropping.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
Keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last;
Preserve the peace in the family
Continue the family tradition
Carry on the old traditions
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
Move ahead; travel onward in time or space;
We proceeded towards Washington
She continued in the direction of the hills
We are moving ahead in time now
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
Allow to remain in a place or position;
We cannot continue several servants any longer
She retains a lawyer
The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff
Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on
We kept the work going as long as we could
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
Carry forward;
We continued our research into the cause of the illness
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
Continue after an interruption;
The demonstration continued after a break for lunch
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To continue in (a course or mode of action); to not intermit or fall from; to uphold or maintain.
To keep silence;
To keep possession
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
Continue in a place, position, or situation;
After graduation, she stayed on in Cambridge as a student adviser
Stay with me, please
Despite student protests, he remained Dean for another year
She continued as deputy mayor for another year
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To remain faithful to a given promise or word.
To keep one's word;
To keep one's promise
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Continue
Exist over a prolonged period of time;
The bad weather continued for two more weeks
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To maintain possession of.
I keep a small stock of painkillers for emergencies.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To maintain the condition of; to preserve in a certain state.
I keep my specimens under glass to protect them.
The abundance of squirrels kept the dogs running for hours.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
(transitive) To record transactions, accounts, or events in.
I used to keep a diary.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To restrain.
I keep my pet gerbil away from my brother.
Don't let me keep you; I know you have things to be doing.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
(with from) To watch over, look after, guard, protect.
May the Lord keep you from harm.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To supply with necessities and financially support (a person).
He kept a mistress for over ten years.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
(of living things) To raise; to care for.
He has been keeping orchids since retiring.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
(obsolete) To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
She kept to her bed while the fever lasted.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To remain edible or otherwise usable.
Potatoes can keep if they are in a root cellar.
Latex paint won't keep indefinitely.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
(copulative) To remain in a state.
The rabbit avoided detection by keeping still.
Keep calm! There's no need to panic.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
(transitive) To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; to not swerve from or violate.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To observe or celebrate (a holiday).
The feast of St. Stephen is kept on December 26.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
(historical) The main tower of a castle or fortress, located within the castle walls.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
The food or money required to keep someone alive and healthy; one's support, maintenance.
He works as a cobbler's apprentice for his keep.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
(obsolete) The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge; notice.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case.
To be in good keep
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
(engineering) A cap for holding something, such as a journal box, in place.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To hold; to restrain from departure or removal; not to let go of; to retain in one's power or possession; not to lose; to retain; to detain.
If we lose the field,We can not keep the town.
That I may know what keeps me here with you.
If we would weigh and keep in our minds what we are considering, that would instruct us.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To cause to remain in a given situation or condition; to maintain unchanged; to hold or preserve in any state or tenor.
His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal.
Keep a stiff rein, and move but gently on.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To have in custody; to have in some place for preservation; to take charge of.
The crown of Stephanus, first king of Hungary, was always kept in the castle of Vicegrade.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To preserve from danger, harm, or loss; to guard.
Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To preserve from discovery or publicity; not to communicate, reveal, or betray, as a secret.
Great are thy virtues . . . though kept from man.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To attend upon; to have the care of; to tend.
And the Lord God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it.
In her girlish age, she kept sheep on the moor.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To record transactions, accounts, or events in; as, to keep books, a journal, etc.; also, to enter (as accounts, records, etc. ) in a book.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To maintain, as an establishment, institution, or the like; to conduct; to manage; as, to keep store.
Like a pedant that keeps a school.
Every one of them kept house by himself.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To have in one's service; to have and maintain, as an assistant, a servant, a mistress, a horse, etc.
I keep but three men and a boy.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To continue in, as a course or mode of action; not to intermit or fall from; to hold to; to maintain; as, to keep silence; to keep one's word; to keep possession.
Both day and night did we keep company.
Within this portal as I kept my watch.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; not to swerve from or violate; to practice or perform, as duty; not to neglect; to be faithful to.
I have kept the faith.
Him whom to love is to obey, and keepHis great command.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To confine one's self to; not to quit; to remain in; as, to keep one's house, room, bed, etc.; hence, to haunt; to frequent.
'Tis hallowed ground;Fairies, and fawns, and satyrs do it keep.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To observe duly, as a festival, etc.; to celebrate; to solemnize; as, to keep a feast.
I went with them to the house of God . . . with a multitude that kept holyday.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To remain in any position or state; to continue; to abide; to stay; as, to keep at a distance; to keep aloft; to keep near; to keep in the house; to keep before or behind; to keep in favor; to keep out of company, or out reach.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To last; to endure; to remain unimpaired.
If the malt be not thoroughly dried, the ale it makes will not keep.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
Knock at his study, where, they say, he keeps.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.
Keep that the lusts choke not the word of God that is in us.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge.
Pan, thou god of shepherds all,Which of our tender lambkins takest keep.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case; as, to be in good keep.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
The means or provisions by which one is kept; maintenance; support; as, the keep of a horse.
Grass equal to the keep of seven cows.
I performed some services to the college in return for my keep.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
That which keeps or protects; a stronghold; a fortress; a castle; specifically, the strongest and securest part of a castle, often used as a place of residence by the lord of the castle, especially during a siege; the dungeon. See Illust. of Castle.
The prison strong,Within whose keep the captive knights were laid.
The lower chambers of those gloomy keeps.
I think . . . the keep, or principal part of a castle, was so called because the lord and his domestic circle kept, abode, or lived there.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
That which is kept in charge; a charge.
Often he used of his keepA sacrifice to bring.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
The financial means whereby one lives;
Each child was expected to pay for their keep
He applied to the state for support
He could no longer earn his own livelihood
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
Keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.,
Keep clean
Hold in place
She always held herself as a lady
The students keep me on my toes
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
Continue a certain state, condition, or activity;
Keep on working!
We continued to work into the night
Keep smiling
We went on working until well past midnight
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
Retain possession of;
Can I keep my old stuffed animals?
She kept her maiden name after she married
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
Prevent from doing something or being in a certain state;
We must prevent the cancer from spreading
His snoring kept me from falling asleep
Keep the child from eating the marbles
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
Conform one's action or practice to;
Keep appointments
She never keeps her promises
We kept to the original conditions of the contract
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
Observe correctly or closely;
The pianist kept time with the metronome
Keep count
I cannot keep track of all my employees
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
Look after; be the keeper of; have charge of;
He keeps the shop when I am gone
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
Maintain by writing regular records;
Keep a diary
Maintain a record
Keep notes
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
Supply with room and board;
He is keeping three women in the guest cottage
Keep boarders
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
Allow to remain in a place or position;
We cannot continue several servants any longer
She retains a lawyer
The family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staff
Our grant has run out and we cannot keep you on
We kept the work going as long as we could
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
Supply with necessities and support;
She alone sustained her family
The money will sustain our good cause
There's little to earn and many to keep
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
Celebrate, as of holidays or rites;
Keep the commandments
Celebrate Christmas
Observe Yom Kippur
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
Keep under control; keep in check;
Suppress a smile
Keep your temper
Keep your cool
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
Retain rights to;
Keep my job for me while I give birth
Keep my seat, please
Keep open the possibility of a merger
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
Have as a supply;
I always keep batteries in the freezer
Keep food for a week in the pantry
She keeps a sixpack and a week's worth of supplies in the refrigerator
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
Keep
Maintain for use and service;
I keep a car in the countryside
She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 10, 2023
FAQs
Can 'continue' and 'keep' be used interchangeably?
Sometimes, especially when referring to persisting in an activity, but not always.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Is 'continue' always a verb?
Primarily, yes. It's most commonly used as a verb.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Is 'continue' more formal?
Not necessarily, though it is often used in more structured settings.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023
Does 'continue' always need additional words?
Often, yes. For example, "continue to read" or "continue writing."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
What's the opposite of 'keep'?
Depending on context, it could be "discard," "stop," or "release."
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023
Can 'keep' be a noun?
Yes, 'keep' can also function as a noun, as in "for keeps."
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
Can 'keep' imply preservation?
Yes, 'keep' can imply maintaining or preserving a condition or state.
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023
Can 'continue' be used in formal writing?
Yes, it's appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.
Sara Rehman
Sep 22, 2023
Is 'continue' the same as 'proceed'?
They are similar, but 'proceed' often implies starting from a particular point.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 22, 2023
What does 'continue on' mean?
It emphasizes the ongoing nature of an activity, often redundant.
Janet White
Sep 22, 2023
Does 'keep' always imply action?
Not necessarily. It can also imply a lack of action, as in "keep still."
Harlon Moss
Sep 22, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
