Keep vs. Put: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 7, 2024
"Keep" implies maintaining possession or condition, whereas "put" refers to placing something in a specific position or location.
Key Differences
The verb "keep" suggests maintaining or continuing a certain state, condition, or possession. It often implies holding onto something, either physically or metaphorically, and can denote a sense of permanence or ongoing action. For instance, when you say, "I keep my diary locked," it means you consistently ensure that the diary remains locked. "Keep" can also imply adherence to a routine or practice, as in "I keep a strict diet."
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
In contrast, "put" is a verb that involves the action of placing or setting something in a particular position. It's about moving an object from one location to another and has a more immediate and finite connotation. For example, when you say, "I put the book on the shelf," it signifies a single action of moving the book to a new location. "Put" does not imply ongoing action or maintenance of state but rather a one-time movement or transition.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
"Keep" can also imply responsibility or guardianship. For example, "I keep my younger brother safe" suggests a role of ongoing protection and care. In this sense, "keep" often involves a personal commitment or obligation that extends over time. It's about ensuring the continued well-being or condition of someone or something.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
On the other hand, "put" is more about arrangement and organization. It is often used to describe physical actions in various contexts, such as "putting together a puzzle" or "putting away groceries." The focus with "put" is on the act of placement, rather than the ongoing state of the object or person after the act is completed.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
Lastly, "keep" can be used in expressions that denote a continuous state of emotion or thought, such as "keep in mind" or "keep calm." These phrases imply a sustained effort or state. Conversely, "put" is used in phrases like "put to bed" or "put to use," indicating a definitive action leading to a change in state or condition.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Primary Meaning
To maintain a state or condition.
To place or set in a specific location.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
Connotation
Ongoing action or guardianship.
One-time action of movement or placement.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
Use in Context
Implies responsibility or routine.
Focuses on arrangement or organization.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
Implication of Duration
Suggests a continuous or long-term action.
Indicates a single, finite action.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
Common Phrasal Use
Used in phrases like "keep safe" or "keep going."
Used in phrases like "put away" or "put together."
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Keep and Put Definitions
Keep
Keep can mean to continue a specific state or condition.
Please keep the door closed.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024
Put
Put means to set something in a particular place.
I put the book on the table.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024
Keep
Keep implies protecting or taking care of something or someone.
I keep my plants well-watered.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024
Put
Put can involve causing someone or something to be in a state.
He put the car in park.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024
Keep
Keep often refers to maintaining a routine or habit.
I keep a regular exercise schedule.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
Put
Put can mean to start or initiate a process or action.
Put the plan into action immediately.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024
Put
To cause to be in a specified condition
His gracious manners put me at ease.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
To provide (a family, for example) with maintenance and support
"There's little to earn and many to keep" (Charles Kingsley).
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Put
To cause (one) to undergo something; subject
The interrogators put the prisoner to torture.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
To cause to continue in a state, condition, or course of action
Tried to keep the patient calm.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Put
To render in a specified language or literary form
Put prose into verse.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
To restrain
Kept the child away from the stove.
Kept the crowd back with barriers.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Put
To force the purchase of (a stock or commodity) by exercising a put option.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Put
An option to sell a stipulated amount of stock or securities within a specified time and at a fixed price.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
To remain in a state or condition; stay
Keep in line.
Keep quiet.
Kept well.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Put
(finance) To exercise a put option.
He got out of his Procter and Gamble bet by putting his shares at 80.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Put
To express something in a certain manner.
When you put it that way, I guess I can see your point.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Put
(athletics) To throw a heavy iron ball, as a sport. See shot put. Do not confuse with putt.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
To restrain oneself; hold oneself back
I couldn't keep from eavesdropping.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Put
To attach or attribute; to assign.
To put a wrong construction on an act or expression
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Put
To set before one for judgment, acceptance, or rejection; to bring to the attention.
To put a question; to put a case
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
To remain faithful to a given promise or word.
To keep one's word;
To keep one's promise
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Put
(mining) To convey coal in the mine, as for example from the working to the tramway.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
To maintain possession of.
I keep a small stock of painkillers for emergencies.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Put
(finance) Short for put option.
He bought a January '08 put for Procter and Gamble at 80 to hedge his bet.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
Put
The act of putting; an action; a movement; a thrust; a push.
The put of a ball
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
(transitive) To record transactions, accounts, or events in.
I used to keep a diary.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
(with from) To watch over, look after, guard, protect.
May the Lord keep you from harm.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
To supply with necessities and financially support (a person).
He kept a mistress for over ten years.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Put
The act of putting; an action; a movement; a thrust; a push; as, the put of a ball.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
(of living things) To raise; to care for.
He has been keeping orchids since retiring.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
(obsolete) To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
She kept to her bed while the fever lasted.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Put
To attach or attribute; to assign; as, to put a wrong construction on an act or expression.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
(copulative) To remain in a state.
The rabbit avoided detection by keeping still.
Keep calm! There's no need to panic.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
To act as wicket-keeper.
Godfrey Evans kept for England for many years.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Put
To steer; to direct one's course; to go.
His fury thus appeased, he puts to land.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
(transitive) To observe; to adhere to; to fulfill; to not swerve from or violate.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Put
The option to sell a given stock (or stock index or commodity future) at a given price before a given date
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
To observe or celebrate (a holiday).
The feast of St. Stephen is kept on December 26.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
(historical) The main tower of a castle or fortress, located within the castle walls.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Put
Cause to be in a certain state; cause to be in a certain relation;
That song put me in awful good humor
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
Put
Formulate in a particular style or language;
I wouldn't put it that way
She cast her request in very polite language
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
(obsolete) The act or office of keeping; custody; guard; care; heed; charge; notice.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case.
To be in good keep
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
(engineering) A cap for holding something, such as a journal box, in place.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
Put
Arrange thoughts, ideas, temporal events, etc.;
Arrange my schedule
Set up one's life
I put these memories with those of bygone times
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
Put
Put can mean to express something in words.
She put her feelings into a letter.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
Put
Put often refers to assigning someone to a task or role.
They put me in charge of the project.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024
Keep
To preserve from danger, harm, or loss; to guard.
Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
To supply with necessaries of life; to entertain; as, to keep boarders.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
To last; to endure; to remain unimpaired.
If the malt be not thoroughly dried, the ale it makes will not keep.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
To reside for a time; to lodge; to dwell.
Knock at his study, where, they say, he keeps.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
The state of being kept; hence, the resulting condition; case; as, to be in good keep.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
That which is kept in charge; a charge.
Often he used of his keepA sacrifice to bring.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
Retain possession of;
Can I keep my old stuffed animals?
She kept her maiden name after she married
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
Observe correctly or closely;
The pianist kept time with the metronome
Keep count
I cannot keep track of all my employees
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
Look after; be the keeper of; have charge of;
He keeps the shop when I am gone
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
Maintain by writing regular records;
Keep a diary
Maintain a record
Keep notes
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
Supply with room and board;
He is keeping three women in the guest cottage
Keep boarders
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
Celebrate, as of holidays or rites;
Keep the commandments
Celebrate Christmas
Observe Yom Kippur
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
Keep under control; keep in check;
Suppress a smile
Keep your temper
Keep your cool
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
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
Jan 15, 2024
Keep
Keep means to retain possession of something.
I always keep my keys in my purse.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024
Keep
Keep can mean to hold something in memory or consideration.
Keep this advice in mind for your interview.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 20, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does it mean to keep something?
It means to retain possession or maintain a certain state.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
Can keep be used to imply a habit?
Yes, like in "I keep jogging every morning."
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
Is put used for temporary actions?
Yes, put usually describes a single, specific action.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
Does keep have a protective connotation?
Yes, it can imply guardianship or care.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
Does put have different meanings in different contexts?
Yes, its meaning can vary, like "put an idea forward."
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
How is put used in a sentence?
Put is used to indicate placing something in a specific location.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
Can put be used in a metaphorical sense?
Yes, like in "put your best foot forward."
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
What does "keep away" mean?
It means to maintain a distance from something.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
How does put function in a technical context?
It can refer to placing or installing something, like "put a new engine in the car."
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
What does "keep up with" mean?
It means to stay at the same level or pace as something else.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
How does "put together" function in a sentence?
It means to assemble or compile something.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
How is keep used in sports?
It can mean to maintain possession, like "keep the ball."
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 07, 2024
Share this page
Link for your blog / website
HTML
Link to share via messenger
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.
Shumaila Saeed
Hifza Nasir
Dua Fatima
