What's the past tense of "keep"?
The simple past tense of keep is kept, and the past participle is also kept. Use kept for both simple past and past participle forms.
Definition of keep
The Oxford English Dictionary defines keep as "to retain, maintain, or continue to have something in one's possession or care." It's used in various contexts, from physical retention to maintaining states or continuing actions.
- The past tense of keep is kept.
- The past participle of keep is kept.
Verb forms of 'keep'
Is "keep" a regular or irregular verb?
Note: Regular verbs end in -ed in the past tense. Any other verb ending is considered irregular.
The verb keep is irregular. Its past tense and past participle forms are both kept, not "keeped." This is a pattern shared with a small group of English verbs, and it's important to recognize when using "keep" in different contexts.
When to use "kept" (past) vs. "kept" (participle)
She kept the secret for years.
I've kept all your letters.
The participle form of a verb (shown in the second sentence) uses the auxiliary verb have as a contraction, I've.
When auxiliaries like have or had appear in the same sentence as a past participle verb form, this indicates that the verb's aspect is in the present or past perfect, and not the simple past tense.
Remember, a participle always uses a helper verb to form the complete tense or aspect. Simple tenses, on the other hand, can stand on their own.
Sentence examples: keep, kept, kept
• I keep my important documents in a safe.
• She keeps a journal of her daily activities.
• They are keeping their promises no matter what.
• He kept the gift as a memento.
• They had kept their house spotless prior to having kids.
• She kept the secret until yesterday.
• I've kept this ring for decades.
• The records have been kept safe in the archives.
• They had kept the tradition alive for generations.
Synonyms & nearby words
Synonyms for keep
Nearby phrases
Practice: “Keep” conjugations
She ______ the old photographs in a box.
They are ______ the store open late tonight.
I have ______ this secret for many years.
He ______ his word and came back.
We will ______ the tradition alive for future generations.
FAQs
What is the past tense of "keep"?
What is the past participle of "keep"?
Is "keeped" ever correct?
Is "keep" a regular or irregular verb?
What are some common phrases with "keep"?
Sources
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Simpson, J. A., and E. S. C. Weiner. "Keep, v." Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Date of access 13 Oct. 2025.
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Huddleston, Rodney, and Geoffrey K. Pullum. "The Cambridge Grammar of the English Language." Cambridge University Press, 2002. Date of access 13 Oct. 2025.
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