Continue vs. Keep

Continue vs. Keep — Is There a Difference?
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Difference Between Continue and Keep

Continueverb

(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?

Keepverb

To continue in (a course or mode of action); not to intermit or fall from; to uphold or maintain.

to keep silence;to keep one's word;to keep possession

Continueverb

(transitive) To make last; to prolong.

Keepverb

To hold the status of something.

Continueverb

(transitive) To retain someone or something in a given state, position, etc.

Keepverb

To maintain possession of.

I keep a small stock of painkillers for emergencies.
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Continueverb

(intransitive) To remain in a given place or condition; to remain in connection with; to abide; to stay.

Keepverb

To maintain the condition of.

I keep my specimens under glass to protect them.The abundance of squirrels kept the dogs running for hours.

Continueverb

(intransitive) To resume.

When will the concert continue?

Keepverb

(transitive) To record transactions, accounts, or events in.

I used to keep a diary.

Continueverb

To adjourn, prorogue, put off.

This meeting has been continued to the thirteenth of July.

Keepverb

(transitive) To enter (accounts, records, etc.) in a book.

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Continueverb

(poker slang) To make a continuation bet.

Keepverb

(archaic) To remain in, to be confined to.

Continuenoun

(video games) An option allowing a gamer to resume play after game over, when all lives have been lost.

Keepverb

To restrain.

Continuenoun

(programming) A statement which causes a loop to start executing the next iteration, skipping the statements following it.

Keepverb

(with from) To watch over, look after, guard, protect.

May the Lord keep you from harm.

Continueverb

continue a certain state, condition, or activity;

Keep on working!We continued to work into the nightKeep smilingWe went on working until well past midnight

Keepverb

To supply with necessities and financially support a person.

He kept a mistress for over ten years.

Continueverb

continue with one's activities;

I know it's hard,but there is no choicecarry on--pretend we are not in the room

Keepverb

(of living things) To raise; to care for.

He has been keeping orchids since retiring.

Continueverb

keep or maintain in unaltered condition; cause to remain or last;

preserve the peace in the familycontinue the family traditionCarry on the old traditions

Keepverb

To maintain (an establishment or institution); to conduct; to manage.

Continueverb

move ahead; travel onward in time or space;

We proceeded towards WashingtonShe continued in the direction of the hillsWe are moving ahead in time now

Keepverb

To have habitually in stock for sale.

Continueverb

allow to remain in a place or position;

We cannot continue several servants any longerShe retains a lawyerThe family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staffOur grant has run out and we cannot keep you onWe kept the work going as long as we could

Keepverb

To hold or be held in a state.

Continueverb

carry forward;

We continued our research into the cause of the illness

Keepverb

(obsolete) To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.

She kept to her bed while the fever lasted.

Continueverb

continue after an interruption;

The demonstration continued after a break for lunch

Keepverb

To continue.

I keep taking the tablets, but to no avail.

Continueverb

continue in a place, position, or situation;

After graduation, she stayed on in Cambridge as a student adviserStay with me, pleasedespite student protests, he remained Dean for another yearShe continued as deputy mayor for another year

Keepverb

To remain edible or otherwise usable.

Potatoes can keep if they are in a root cellar.Latex paint won't keep indefinitely.

Continueverb

exist over a prolonged period of time;

The bad weather continued for two more weeks

Keepverb

(copulative) To remain in a state.

The rabbit avoided detection by keeping still.Keep calm! There's no need to panic.

Keepverb

(obsolete) To wait for, keep watch for.

Keepverb

To act as wicket-keeper.

Godfrey Evans kept for England for many years.

Keepverb

To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.

Keepverb

To be in session; to take place.

School keeps today.

Keepverb

(transitive) To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; not to swerve from or violate.

Keepverb

To confine oneself to; not to quit; to remain in.

to keep one's house, room, bed, etc.

Keepverb

To visit (a place) often; to frequent.

Keepnoun

(obsolete) Care, notice

Keepnoun

(historical) The main tower of a castle or fortress, located within the castle walls.

Keepnoun

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.

Keepnoun

The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge.

Keepnoun

The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case.

to be in good keep

Keepnoun

(obsolete) That which is kept in charge; a charge.

Keepnoun

(engineering) A cap for holding something, such as a journal box, in place.

Keepnoun

the financial means whereby one lives;

each child was expected to pay for their keephe applied to the state for supporthe could no longer earn his own livelihood

Keepnoun

the main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress

Keepnoun

a cell in a jail or prison

Keepverb

keep in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g.,

keep cleanhold in placeShe always held herself as a ladyThe students keep me on my toes

Keepverb

continue a certain state, condition, or activity;

Keep on working!We continued to work into the nightKeep smilingWe went on working until well past midnight

Keepverb

retain possession of;

Can I keep my old stuffed animals?She kept her maiden name after she married

Keepverb

prevent from doing something or being in a certain state;

We must prevent the cancer from spreadingHis snoring kept me from falling asleepKeep the child from eating the marbles

Keepverb

conform one's action or practice to;

keep appointmentsshe never keeps her promisesWe kept to the original conditions of the contract

Keepverb

observe correctly or closely;

The pianist kept time with the metronomekeep countI cannot keep track of all my employees

Keepverb

look after; be the keeper of; have charge of;

He keeps the shop when I am gone

Keepverb

maintain by writing regular records;

keep a diarymaintain a recordkeep notes

Keepverb

supply with room and board;

He is keeping three women in the guest cottagekeep boarders

Keepverb

allow to remain in a place or position;

We cannot continue several servants any longerShe retains a lawyerThe family's fortune waned and they could not keep their household staffOur grant has run out and we cannot keep you onWe kept the work going as long as we could

Keepverb

supply with necessities and support;

She alone sustained her familyThe money will sustain our good causeThere's little to earn and many to keep

Keepverb

fail to spoil or rot;

These potatoes keep for a long time

Keepverb

celebrate, as of holidays or rites;

Keep the commandmentscelebrate ChristmasObserve Yom Kippur

Keepverb

keep under control; keep in check;

suppress a smileKeep your temperkeep your cool

Keepverb

maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger;

May God keep you

Keepverb

raise;

She keeps a few chickens in the yardhe keeps bees

Keepverb

retain rights to;

keep my job for me while I give birthkeep my seat, pleasekeep open the possibility of a merger

Keepverb

store or keep customarily;

Where do you keep your gardening tools?

Keepverb

have as a supply;

I always keep batteries in the freezerkeep food for a week in the pantryShe keeps a sixpack and a week's worth of supplies in the refrigerator

Keepverb

maintain for use and service;

I keep a car in the countrysideShe keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips

Keepverb

hold and prevent from leaving;

The student was kept after school

Keepverb

prevent (food) from rotting;

preserved meatskeep potatoes fresh