Keep vs. Put
The main difference between Keep and Put is that Keep represents long-term action, whereas Put represents short-term action.
Key Differences
The past term for 'keep' is changed into kept. Conversely, the past term for 'put' is unchanged and remains the same, which is 'put.'
Janet White
Jun 28, 2020
'Keep' means to store or to place, whereas 'put' means to locate or to lay.
'Keep' describes the meanings of retaining, detaining, and restoring into the original position, whereas 'put' describes the meanings of locating and expressing.
Harlon Moss
Jun 28, 2020
'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' is used to show waiting and continuation of the act. In contrast, 'put' is used to contribute, to write, and to present.
Aimie Carlson
Jun 28, 2020
'Keep' refers to long-duration actions, while 'put' refers to short-duration actions.
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'Keep' is also used in protecting and preventing sense. On the flip side, 'put' is used in investing and estimating sense.
'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.
The past participle for 'keep' is also changed to 'kept.' Contrarily, the past participle for 'put' remains unchanged.
Janet White
Jun 28, 2020
'Keep' shows persistence in doing something, whereas 'put' shows abruptness, thrust, and sudden movement.
'Keep' is simply used for comprehensively placing something. Conversely, 'put' shows emphasis on putting something at a specific location.
Continuous positioning of an object is called 'keep,' whereas commanding someone to place something somewhere is called 'put.'
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Comparison Chart
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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
Usage
For persistent action or possession
For changing location or moving things
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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 and Put Definitions
Keep
To retain possession of
Kept the change.
Must keep your composure.
Put
To place in a specified location; set
She put the books on the table.
Keep
To have as a supply
Keep spare parts in case of emergency.
Put
To cause to be in a specified condition
His gracious manners put me at ease.
Keep
To provide (a family, for example) with maintenance and support
"There's little to earn and many to keep" (Charles Kingsley).
Put
To cause (one) to undergo something; subject
The interrogators put the prisoner to torture.
Keep
To support (a mistress or lover) financially.
Put
To assign; attribute
They put a false interpretation on events.
Keep
To put customarily; store
Where do you keep your saw?.
Put
To estimate
We put the time at five o'clock.
Keep
To supply with room and board for a charge
Keep boarders.
Put
To impose or levy
The governor has put a tax on cigarettes.
Keep
To raise
Keep chickens.
Put
(Games) To wager (a stake); bet
Put $50 on a horse.
Keep
To maintain for use or service
An urbanite who didn't keep a car.
Put
(Sports) To hurl with an overhand pushing motion
Put the shot.
Keep
To manage, tend, or have charge of
Keep the shop while I'm away.
Put
To bring up for consideration or judgment
Put a question to the judge.
Keep
To preserve (food).
Put
To express; state
I put my objections bluntly.
Keep
To cause to continue in a state, condition, or course of action
Tried to keep the patient calm.
Put
To render in a specified language or literary form
Put prose into verse.
Keep
To maintain records or entries in
Keep a yearly diary.
Put
To adapt
The lyrics had been put to music.
Keep
To enter (data) in a book
Keep financial records.
Put
To urge or force to an action
A mob that put the thief to flight.
Keep
To detain
Was kept after school.
Put
To apply
We must put our minds to it.
Keep
To restrain
Kept the child away from the stove.
Kept the crowd back with barriers.
Put
To force the purchase of (a stock or commodity) by exercising a put option.
Keep
To prevent or deter
Tried to keep the ice from melting.
Put
(Nautical) To proceed
The ship put into the harbor.
Keep
To refrain from divulging
Keep a secret.
Put
(Sports) An act of putting the shot.
Keep
To save; reserve
Keep extra money for emergencies.
Put
An option to sell a stipulated amount of stock or securities within a specified time and at a fixed price.
Keep
To adhere or conform to; follow
Keep late hours.
Put
Fixed; stationary
Stay put.
Keep
To be faithful to; fulfill
Keep one's word.
Put
To place something somewhere.
She put her books on the table.
Keep
To celebrate; observe
Keep the Sabbath.
Put
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.
Keep
To remain in a state or condition; stay
Keep in line.
Keep quiet.
Kept well.
Put
(finance) To exercise a put option.
He got out of his Procter and Gamble bet by putting his shares at 80.
Keep
To continue to do
Keep on talking.
Keep guessing.
Put
To express something in a certain manner.
When you put it that way, I guess I can see your point.
Keep
To remain fresh or unspoiled
The dessert won't keep.
Put
(athletics) To throw a heavy iron ball, as a sport. See shot put. Do not confuse with putt.
Keep
To restrain oneself; hold oneself back
I couldn't keep from eavesdropping.
Put
To steer; to direct one's course; to go.
Keep
Care; charge
The child is in my keep for the day.
Put
To play a card or a hand in the game called put.
Keep
The means by which one is supported
Earn one's keep.
Put
To attach or attribute; to assign.
To put a wrong construction on an act or expression
Keep
The stronghold of a castle.
Put
(obsolete) To lay down; to give up; to surrender.
Keep
A jail.
Put
To set before one for judgment, acceptance, or rejection; to bring to the attention.
To put a question; to put a case
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
Put
(obsolete) To incite; to entice; to urge; to constrain; to oblige.
Keep
To remain faithful to a given promise or word.
To keep one's word;
To keep one's promise
Put
(mining) To convey coal in the mine, as for example from the working to the tramway.
Keep
(transitive) To hold the status of something.
Put
(business) A right to sell something at a predetermined price.
Keep
To maintain possession of.
I keep a small stock of painkillers for emergencies.
Put
(finance) Short for put option.
He bought a January '08 put for Procter and Gamble at 80 to hedge his bet.
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.
Put
The act of putting; an action; a movement; a thrust; a push.
The put of a ball
Keep
(transitive) To record transactions, accounts, or events in.
I used to keep a diary.
Put
(uncountable) An old card game.
Keep
(transitive) To enter (accounts, records, etc.) in a book.
Put
(obsolete) A fellow, especially an eccentric or elderly one; a duffer.
Keep
(archaic) To remain in; to be confined to.
Put
(obsolete) A prostitute.
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.
Put
A pit.
Keep
(with from) To watch over, look after, guard, protect.
May the Lord keep you from harm.
Put
A rustic; a clown; an awkward or uncouth person.
Queer country puts extol Queen Bess's reign.
What droll puts the citizens seem in it all.
Keep
To supply with necessities and financially support (a person).
He kept a mistress for over ten years.
Put
The act of putting; an action; a movement; a thrust; a push; as, the put of a ball.
Keep
(of living things) To raise; to care for.
He has been keeping orchids since retiring.
Put
A certain game at cards.
Keep
To refrain from freely disclosing (a secret).
Put
A privilege which one party buys of another to "put" (deliver) to him a certain amount of stock, grain, etc., at a certain price and date.
A put and a call may be combined in one instrument, the holder of which may either buy or sell as he chooses at the fixed price.
Keep
To maintain (an establishment or institution); to conduct; to manage.
Put
A prostitute.
Keep
To have habitually in stock for sale.
Put
To move in any direction; to impel; to thrust; to push; - nearly obsolete, except with adverbs, as with by (to put by = to thrust aside; to divert); or with forth (to put forth = to thrust out).
His chief designs are . . . to put thee by from thy spiritual employment.
Keep
(intransitive) To hold or be held in a state.
Put
To bring to a position or place; to place; to lay; to set; figuratively, to cause to be or exist in a specified relation, condition, or the like; to bring to a stated mental or moral condition; as, to put one in fear; to put a theory in practice; to put an enemy to fight.
This present dignity,In which that I have put you.
I will put enmity between thee and the woman.
He put no trust in his servants.
When God into the hands of their delivererPuts invincible might.
In the mean time other measures were put in operation.
Keep
(obsolete) To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
She kept to her bed while the fever lasted.
Put
To attach or attribute; to assign; as, to put a wrong construction on an act or expression.
Keep
To continue.
I keep taking the tablets, but to no avail.
Put
To lay down; to give up; to surrender.
No man hath more love than this, that a man put his life for his friends.
Keep
To remain edible or otherwise usable.
Potatoes can keep if they are in a root cellar.
Latex paint won't keep indefinitely.
Put
To set before one for judgment, acceptance, or rejection; to bring to the attention; to offer; to state; to express; figuratively, to assume; to suppose; - formerly sometimes followed by that introducing a proposition; as, to put a question; to put a case.
Let us now put that ye have leave.
Put the perception and you put the mind.
These verses, originally Greek, were put in Latin.
All this is ingeniously and ably put.
Keep
(copulative) To remain in a state.
The rabbit avoided detection by keeping still.
Keep calm! There's no need to panic.
Put
To incite; to entice; to urge; to constrain; to oblige.
These wretches put us upon all mischief.
Put me not use the carnal weapon in my own defense.
Thank him who puts me, loath, to this revenge.
Keep
(obsolete) To wait for, keep watch for.
Put
To throw or cast with a pushing motion "overhand," the hand being raised from the shoulder; a practice in athletics; as, to put the shot or weight.
Keep
To act as wicket-keeper.
Godfrey Evans kept for England for many years.
Put
To convey coal in the mine, as from the working to the tramway.
Put case that the soul after departure from the body may live.
Coming from thee, I could not put him back.
Mark, how a plain tale shall put you down.
Sugar hath put down the use of honey.
I hoped for a demonstration, but Themistius hoped to put me off with an harangue.
We might put him off with this answer.
For the certain knowledge of that truthI put you o'er to heaven and to my mother.
Keep
To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.
Put
To go or move; as, when the air first puts up.
Keep
To be in session; to take place.
School keeps today.
Put
To steer; to direct one's course; to go.
His fury thus appeased, he puts to land.
Keep
(transitive) To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; to not swerve from or violate.
Put
To play a card or a hand in the game called put.
Keep
To visit (a place) often; to frequent.
Put
The option to sell a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date
Keep
To observe or celebrate (a holiday).
The feast of St. Stephen is kept on December 26.
Put
Put into a certain place or abstract location;
Put your things here
Set the tray down
Set the dogs on the scent of the missing children
Place emphasis on a certain point
Keep
(historical) The main tower of a castle or fortress, located within the castle walls.
Put
Cause to be in a certain state; cause to be in a certain relation;
That song put me in awful good humor
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.
Put
Formulate in a particular style or language;
I wouldn't put it that way
She cast her request in very polite language
Keep
(obsolete) The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge; notice.
Put
Attribute or give;
She put too much emphasis on her the last statement
He put all his efforts into this job
The teacher put an interesting twist to the interpretation of the story
Keep
The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case.
To be in good keep
Put
Make an investment;
Put money into bonds
Keep
(obsolete) That which is kept in charge; a charge.
Put
Estimate;
We put the time of arrival at 8 P.M.
Keep
(engineering) A cap for holding something, such as a journal box, in place.
Put
Cause (someone) to undergo something;
He put her to the torture
Keep
To care; to desire.
I kepe not of armes for to yelp [boast].
Put
Adapt;
Put these words to music
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.
Put
Arrange thoughts, ideas, temporal events, etc.;
Arrange my schedule
Set up one's life
I put these memories with those of bygone times
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.
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.
Keep
To preserve from danger, harm, or loss; to guard.
Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee.
Keep
To preserve from discovery or publicity; not to communicate, reveal, or betray, as a secret.
Great are thy virtues . . . though kept from man.
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.
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.
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.
Keep
To supply with necessaries of life; to entertain; as, to keep boarders.
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.
Keep
To have habitually in stock for sale.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Keep
To last; to endure; to remain unimpaired.
If the malt be not thoroughly dried, the ale it makes will not keep.
Keep
To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
Knock at his study, where, they say, he keeps.
Keep
To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.
Keep that the lusts choke not the word of God that is in us.
Keep
To be in session; as, school keeps to-day.
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.
Keep
The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case; as, to be in good keep.
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.
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.
Keep
That which is kept in charge; a charge.
Often he used of his keepA sacrifice to bring.
Keep
A cap for retaining anything, as a journal box, in place.
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
Keep
The main tower within the walls of a medieval castle or fortress
Keep
A cell in a jail or prison
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
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
Keep
Retain possession of;
Can I keep my old stuffed animals?
She kept her maiden name after she married
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
Keep
Conform one's action or practice to;
Keep appointments
She never keeps her promises
We kept to the original conditions of the contract
Keep
Observe correctly or closely;
The pianist kept time with the metronome
Keep count
I cannot keep track of all my employees
Keep
Look after; be the keeper of; have charge of;
He keeps the shop when I am gone
Keep
Maintain by writing regular records;
Keep a diary
Maintain a record
Keep notes
Keep
Supply with room and board;
He is keeping three women in the guest cottage
Keep boarders
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
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
Keep
Fail to spoil or rot;
These potatoes keep for a long time
Keep
Celebrate, as of holidays or rites;
Keep the commandments
Celebrate Christmas
Observe Yom Kippur
Keep
Keep under control; keep in check;
Suppress a smile
Keep your temper
Keep your cool
Keep
Maintain in safety from injury, harm, or danger;
May God keep you
Keep
Raise;
She keeps a few chickens in the yard
He keeps bees
Keep
Retain rights to;
Keep my job for me while I give birth
Keep my seat, please
Keep open the possibility of a merger
Keep
Store or keep customarily;
Where do you keep your gardening tools?
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
Keep
Maintain for use and service;
I keep a car in the countryside
She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips
Keep
Hold and prevent from leaving;
The student was kept after school
Keep
Prevent (food) from rotting;
Preserved meats
Keep potatoes fresh
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.
