Keep vs. Put
Main DifferenceThe main difference between Keep and Put is that Keep represents long-term action, whereas Put represents short-term action.

Difference Between Keep and Put
Keep vs. Put
'Keep' means to store or to place, whereas 'put' means to locate or to lay.
Keep vs. Put
'Keep' refers to long-duration actions, while 'put' refers to short-duration actions.
Keep vs. Put
'Keep' mostly shows the acts, which are usual or frequent in daily routine. On the other hand, 'put' shows the acts, which are unusual or infrequent in daily routine.
Keep vs. Put
The past term for 'keep' is changed into kept. Conversely, the past term for 'put' is unchanged and remains the same, which is 'put.'
Keep vs. Put
The past participle for 'keep' is also changed to 'kept.' Contrarily, the past participle for 'put' remains unchanged.
Keep vs. Put
'Keep' describes the meanings of retaining, detaining, and restoring into the original position, whereas 'put' describes the meanings of locating and expressing.
Keep vs. Put
'Keep' is also used in protecting and preventing sense. On the flip side, 'put' is used in investing and estimating sense.
Keep vs. Put
'Keep' is used to show waiting and continuation of the act. In contrast, 'put' is used to contribute, to write, and to present.
Keep vs. Put
'Keep' shows persistence in doing something, whereas 'put' shows abruptness, thrust, and sudden movement.
Keep vs. Put
'Keep' is simply used for comprehensively placing something. Conversely, 'put' shows emphasis on putting something at a specific location.
Keep vs. Put
Continuous positioning of an object is called 'keep,' whereas commanding someone to place something somewhere is called 'put.'
Keep vs. Put
'Keep' can be used to give particular instructions followed by back, off, and out, etc. On the other hand, 'put' is used for the expression of events in the form of words.
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 possessionPutverb
To place something somewhere.
She put her books on the table.Keepverb
To hold the status of something.
Putverb
To bring or set into a certain relation, state or condition.
Put your house in order!He is putting all his energy into this one task.She tends to put herself in dangerous situations.Keepverb
To maintain possession of.
I keep a small stock of painkillers for emergencies.Putverb
(finance) To exercise a put option.
He got out of his Procter and Gamble bet by putting his shares at 80.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.Putverb
To express something in a certain manner.
When you put it that way, I guess I can see your point.Keepverb
(transitive) To record transactions, accounts, or events in.
I used to keep a diary.Putverb
(athletics) To throw a heavy iron ball, as a sport. See shot put. Do not confuse with putt.
Keepverb
(transitive) To enter (accounts, records, etc.) in a book.
Putverb
To steer; to direct one's course; to go.
Keepverb
(archaic) To remain in, to be confined to.
Putverb
To play a card or a hand in the game called put.
Keepverb
To restrain.
Putverb
To attach or attribute; to assign.
to put a wrong construction on an act or expressionKeepverb
(with from) To watch over, look after, guard, protect.
May the Lord keep you from harm.Putverb
(obsolete) To lay down; to give up; to surrender.
Keepverb
To supply with necessities and financially support a person.
He kept a mistress for over ten years.Putverb
To set before one for judgment, acceptance, or rejection; to bring to the attention.
to put a question; to put a caseKeepverb
(of living things) To raise; to care for.
He has been keeping orchids since retiring.Putverb
(obsolete) To incite; to entice; to urge; to constrain; to oblige.
Keepverb
To maintain (an establishment or institution); to conduct; to manage.
Putverb
(mining) To convey coal in the mine, as for example from the working to the tramway.
Keepverb
To have habitually in stock for sale.
Putnoun
(business) A right to sell something at a predetermined price.
Keepverb
To hold or be held in a state.
Putnoun
(finance) A contract to sell a security at a set price on or before a certain date.
He bought a January '08 put for Procter and Gamble at 80 to hedge his bet.Keepverb
(obsolete) To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
She kept to her bed while the fever lasted.Putnoun
The act of putting; an action; a movement; a thrust; a push.
the put of a ballKeepverb
To continue.
I keep taking the tablets, but to no avail.Putnoun
An old card game.
Keepverb
To remain edible or otherwise usable.
Potatoes can keep if they are in a root cellar.Latex paint won't keep indefinitely.Putnoun
(obsolete) An idiot; a foolish person; a duffer.
Keepverb
(copulative) To remain in a state.
The rabbit avoided detection by keeping still.Keep calm! There's no need to panic.Putnoun
(obsolete) A prostitute.
Keepverb
(obsolete) To wait for, keep watch for.
Putnoun
the option to sell a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date
Keepverb
To act as wicket-keeper.
Godfrey Evans kept for England for many years.Putverb
put into a certain place or abstract location;
Put your things hereSet the tray downSet the dogs on the scent of the missing childrenPlace emphasis on a certain pointKeepverb
To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.
Putverb
cause to be in a certain state; cause to be in a certain relation;
That song put me in awful good humorKeepverb
To be in session; to take place.
School keeps today.Putverb
formulate in a particular style or language;
I wouldn't put it that wayShe cast her request in very polite languageKeepverb
(transitive) To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; not to swerve from or violate.
Putverb
attribute or give;
She put too much emphasis on her the last statementHe put all his efforts into this jobThe teacher put an interesting twist to the interpretation of the storyKeepverb
To confine oneself to; not to quit; to remain in.
to keep one's house, room, bed, etc.Putverb
make an investment;
Put money into bondsKeepverb
To visit (a place) often; to frequent.
Putverb
estimate;
We put the time of arrival at 8 P.M.Keepnoun
(obsolete) Care, notice
Putverb
cause (someone) to undergo something;
He put her to the tortureKeepnoun
(historical) The main tower of a castle or fortress, located within the castle walls.
Putverb
adapt;
put these words to musicKeepnoun
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.Putverb
arrange thoughts, ideas, temporal events, etc.;
arrange my scheduleset up one's lifeI put these memories with those of bygone timesKeepnoun
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 keepKeepnoun
(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 livelihoodKeepnoun
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 toesKeepverb
continue a certain state, condition, or activity;
Keep on working!We continued to work into the nightKeep smilingWe went on working until well past midnightKeepverb
retain possession of;
Can I keep my old stuffed animals?She kept her maiden name after she marriedKeepverb
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 marblesKeepverb
conform one's action or practice to;
keep appointmentsshe never keeps her promisesWe kept to the original conditions of the contractKeepverb
observe correctly or closely;
The pianist kept time with the metronomekeep countI cannot keep track of all my employeesKeepverb
look after; be the keeper of; have charge of;
He keeps the shop when I am goneKeepverb
maintain by writing regular records;
keep a diarymaintain a recordkeep notesKeepverb
supply with room and board;
He is keeping three women in the guest cottagekeep boardersKeepverb
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 couldKeepverb
supply with necessities and support;
She alone sustained her familyThe money will sustain our good causeThere's little to earn and many to keepKeepverb
fail to spoil or rot;
These potatoes keep for a long timeKeepverb
celebrate, as of holidays or rites;
Keep the commandmentscelebrate ChristmasObserve Yom KippurKeepverb
keep under control; keep in check;
suppress a smileKeep your temperkeep your coolKeepverb
maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger;
May God keep youKeepverb
raise;
She keeps a few chickens in the yardhe keeps beesKeepverb
retain rights to;
keep my job for me while I give birthkeep my seat, pleasekeep open the possibility of a mergerKeepverb
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 refrigeratorKeepverb
maintain for use and service;
I keep a car in the countrysideShe keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping tripsKeepverb
hold and prevent from leaving;
The student was kept after schoolKeepverb
prevent (food) from rotting;
preserved meatskeep potatoes freshComparison Chart
Keep | Put |
To possess something or continue doing an action is called 'keep.' | To place something somewhere or to locate an object is called 'put.' |
Action | |
Customary action | Non-customary action |
Time Required | |
Long-time act | Short-time act |
Past Participle | |
Kept | put |
Similarity | |
Storing | Setting |
Usage | |
For persistent action or possession | For changing location or moving things |
Frequency | |
Usual or frequent action | Unusual or unfrequent action |
Example | |
Jill keeps stalking me whatever I do. | Jack put all the washed dishes in order. |
Keep vs. Put
‘Keep’ means to store or to place, whereas ‘put’ means to set or to lay. ‘Keep’ is used for a long duration or customary acts, while ‘put’ is used for short duration or non-customary acts. The past participle of ‘keep’ is changed form of ‘keep,’ which is “kept.” On the other hand, the past participle of ‘put’ is called ‘put,’ which is an unchanged form of ‘put.’
To have possession of an object, or to place an object at any place, or to continue doing something are included in usage of ‘keep.’ On the flip side, to move something to someplace is included in the usage of ‘put.’ ‘Keep’ also refers to have something in control or something that must remain in a particular state, whereas ‘put’ belongs to expression and articulation of something in the form of words.
‘Keep’ may also be used to give instructions or to forbid someone from doing something. On the flip side, ‘put’ cannot be used for giving instructions or threats. ‘Keep’ is obsolete care, whereas ‘put’ is an obsolete prostitute.
‘Keep’ can be used for uninterrupted locating of an object, whereas ‘put’ can represent a command to tell someone to do something sometimes. ‘Keep’ is more about holding something, whereas ‘put’ is more about placing something.
When you usually or always do an action, ‘keep’ is used, i.e., “I keep my business card in my pocket.” Conversely, if you did an act for the first time, ‘put’ is used, i.e., “I once put my business card into the drawer.”
What is Keep?
‘Keep’ is called as having possessions, placing an object somewhere frequently, and continue acting the way you are already. ‘Keep’ is a transitive verb, which means to retain the original position, to put aside an object, or to detain someone somewhere.
‘Keep’ also means to have possessions and to maintain the original records or conditions at a certain time. The definition of ‘keep’ may also include delaying, supporting, fulfilling, or honoring, preventing, protecting, and guarding, etc.
To raise or to care for someone also refers to the meanings of ‘keep.’ It also explains the idea of the establishment of or institution. The word ‘keep’ indicates the meanings of conducting and managing too.
Classification
- As a Verb: To continue, to hold, to have possession, to maintain position, to record transactions, to enter accounts or records, to confine, to restrain, and to protect, etc.
- As a Noun: To notice, to take care, to heed, charge, and be in charge.
Examples
- You are allowed to keep the change and earn honestly.
- He keeps his dishes on the safe side of the cabinet.
- Ali tries to keep his word. Therefore, he is considered a gentleman.
- Johnny keeps his belongings on his table.
- The teachers and the principal keep the record of every child.
- Keep your hands of this lunch box for your goodness.
- Faraz keeps smoking when he already knows smoking kills.
- My mother keeps nagging me to study hard.
- We try to keep away from our relatives because they are quite stingy.
What is Put?
To place something in a specific position is called ‘put.’ ‘Put’ refers to the actions, which are short duration or non-customary. ‘Put’ is a transitive verb which means to place or locate. To cause to be and to cause to hold are included in the meanings of the word ‘put.’
‘Put’ is also used to express, articulate, or emphasize something. It can be used to interpret the ideas of investing and estimating. The ranking or scaling of something according to its performance is explained by using put.
The word ‘put’ can reflect the concepts of writing, contributing, presenting, and assigning. To add something into an object is referred through ‘put.’ ‘Put’ also describes its usage in bets and sports.
Classification
- As a Verb: To locate something somewhere temporarily, to set an object in certain state or condition, to express something in a specific manner, to attach or attribute, to bring the attention, to set someone for judgment in the form of acceptance or rejection, etc.
- As a Noun: selling something at a reasonable price, putting an action, a thrust, or a movement, etc.
Examples
- Put my handkerchief on the sofa.
- I have already put your socks in a laundry basket.
- I will be very gratified if you put me on the senior football team.
- My aunt put his daughter in her crib.
- Most parents put their children in boarding schools for better education.
- Ali punished the student by putting him under the desk.
- To put it expressively, you did not prepare well for the exams.
ConclusionThe act of placing something somewhere for a long time is called 'keep,' whereas the act of placing something somewhere for a short time is called 'put.' 'Keep' can be used for the continuation of a process, retaining, detaining, and protecting the way, while 'put' is used for causing something to be in a specific condition.