Continue vs. Keep: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 26, 2023
"Continuing" refers to persisting in an activity or process, while "keeping" involves maintaining a condition or retaining possession of something.
Key Differences
"Continue" is used to indicate the act of carrying on with an activity or process without interruption. It implies a progression or movement forward in some action. "Keep," however, often refers to maintaining a state, condition, or position, or holding on to something physically or figuratively.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
When one continues something, they are essentially prolonging an action or extending a period of activity. It suggests a seamless ongoing process. In contrast, to keep something implies preserving it as it is, safeguarding a status quo, or holding onto an object or idea.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
"Continue" is about not stopping an action or event, emphasizing the duration and persistence of an activity. "Keep" focuses more on the act of retaining control, possession, or adherence to a particular condition or standard.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
In terms of usage, "continue" is often used in contexts of movement, activities, and processes, implying an active pursuit or progression. "Keep" is versatile, used in contexts of possession, care, and maintenance, indicating a more static condition.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
"Continue" also implies an action that is resumed after a pause or interruption. In contrast, "keep" can imply consistent and ongoing effort to maintain a certain state or possession without implying prior interruption.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Implication of Action
Extension or resumption of activity.
Preservation or holding on.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Temporal Aspect
Suggests duration and persistence.
Often indicates a static or consistent state.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Nature of Activity
Active continuation or resumption.
Active or passive maintenance or retention.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
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Continue and Keep Definitions
Continue
To resume something after a pause.
The game continued after the brief rain delay.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Continue
To keep doing something without stopping.
The musician continued playing late into the night.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Keep
To preserve something in a particular state.
He keeps his car in excellent condition.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Continue
To extend the duration of something.
The meeting continued for two more hours.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
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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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Continue
To exist over a period; last
The meeting continued for another hour.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Continue
To remain in the same state, capacity, or place
She continued as mayor for a second term.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To provide (a family, for example) with maintenance and support
"There's little to earn and many to keep" (Charles Kingsley).
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Continue
To go on after an interruption; resume
The negotiations continued after a break for dinner.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Continue
To extend in a given direction
The stream continues for another five miles before it reaches the lake.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Continue
To carry on; persist in
The police will continue their investigation. I continued reading all afternoon.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Continue
To carry further in time, space, or development; extend
The builder will continue the road right through the swamp.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Continue
To cause to remain or last; retain or maintain
Are you continuing the prescription? The team continued its dominance over its opponents.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Continue
To carry on after an interruption; resume
After a break for lunch, we continued our hike.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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?
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To cause to continue in a state, condition, or course of action
Tried to keep the patient calm.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Continue
(transitive) To retain someone or something in a given state, position, etc.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Continue
To remain in a given place or condition; to remain in connection with; to abide; to stay.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To restrain
Kept the child away from the stove.
Kept the crowd back with barriers.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Continue
To adjourn, prorogue, put off.
This meeting has been continued to the thirteenth of July.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Continue
To be permanent or durable; to endure; to last.
But now thy kingdom shall not continue.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Continue
To unite; to connect.
The use of the navel is to continue the infant unto the mother.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To remain in a state or condition; stay
Keep in line.
Keep quiet.
Kept well.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To restrain oneself; hold oneself back
I couldn't keep from eavesdropping.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Continue
Carry forward;
We continued our research into the cause of the illness
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To remain faithful to a given promise or word.
To keep one's word;
To keep one's promise
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Continue
Continue after an interruption;
The demonstration continued after a break for lunch
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To maintain possession of.
I keep a small stock of painkillers for emergencies.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Continue
Exist over a prolonged period of time;
The bad weather continued for two more weeks
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Continue
To go on with an activity or process.
She decided to continue her studies abroad.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Keep
(transitive) To record transactions, accounts, or events in.
I used to keep a diary.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Continue
To persist in an action or path.
He continued walking despite the heavy rain.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
(with from) To watch over, look after, guard, protect.
May the Lord keep you from harm.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To supply with necessities and financially support (a person).
He kept a mistress for over ten years.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
(of living things) To raise; to care for.
He has been keeping orchids since retiring.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
(obsolete) To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
She kept to her bed while the fever lasted.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To remain edible or otherwise usable.
Potatoes can keep if they are in a root cellar.
Latex paint won't keep indefinitely.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
(copulative) To remain in a state.
The rabbit avoided detection by keeping still.
Keep calm! There's no need to panic.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To act as wicket-keeper.
Godfrey Evans kept for England for many years.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
(transitive) To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; to not swerve from or violate.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To observe or celebrate (a holiday).
The feast of St. Stephen is kept on December 26.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
(historical) The main tower of a castle or fortress, located within the castle walls.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
(obsolete) The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge; notice.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case.
To be in good keep
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
(engineering) A cap for holding something, such as a journal box, in place.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To preserve from danger, harm, or loss; to guard.
Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To supply with necessaries of life; to entertain; as, to keep boarders.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To last; to endure; to remain unimpaired.
If the malt be not thoroughly dried, the ale it makes will not keep.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
Knock at his study, where, they say, he keeps.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To take care; to be solicitous; to watch.
Keep that the lusts choke not the word of God that is in us.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case; as, to be in good keep.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
That which is kept in charge; a charge.
Often he used of his keepA sacrifice to bring.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Retain possession of;
Can I keep my old stuffed animals?
She kept her maiden name after she married
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Observe correctly or closely;
The pianist kept time with the metronome
Keep count
I cannot keep track of all my employees
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Look after; be the keeper of; have charge of;
He keeps the shop when I am gone
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Maintain by writing regular records;
Keep a diary
Maintain a record
Keep notes
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Supply with room and board;
He is keeping three women in the guest cottage
Keep boarders
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Celebrate, as of holidays or rites;
Keep the commandments
Celebrate Christmas
Observe Yom Kippur
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Keep under control; keep in check;
Suppress a smile
Keep your temper
Keep your cool
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 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
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
Maintain for use and service;
I keep a car in the countryside
She keeps an apartment in Paris for her shopping trips
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Keep
To retain possession of something.
She decided to keep the lost puppy she found.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Keep
To continue to have something in your possession.
Keep the change from the purchase.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is "keep" used only for physical objects?
No, it can also refer to conditions, ideas, or promises.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Does "keep" always imply ownership?
Not always; it can refer to temporary possession or care.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Can "continue" be used in legal contexts?
Yes, like continuing a trial or legal process.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Is "continue" used for repetitive actions?
It can be, especially if the action is ongoing.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Is "continue" a formal term?
It can be formal or informal, depending on the context.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Can "continue" imply starting something new?
No, it implies carrying on with an existing activity.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Can "keep" mean to stop something from happening?
Yes, in contexts like keeping someone from harm.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Is "continue" used in technology?
Yes, like continuing a download or process.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Does "continue" always require active effort?
Usually, as it involves persisting in an action or process.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Can "continue" mean to uphold something?
Indirectly, as in continuing a tradition.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
Can "continue" be used for growth?
Yes, like continuing to grow or develop.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 26, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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