1. 表示“保持”，用作连系动词，其后可接形容词或介词短语等作表语。如：
She knew she must keep calm. 她知道她必须保持冷静。
We’ll keep in touch with you. 我们将和你保持联系。
2. 表示“保持”，用作实义动词，其后可接动名词作宾语，但不能接不定式。如：
Prices keep rising. 物价不断上涨。
Please don’t keep running up and down the stairs. 请别老在楼梯上跑上跑下。
根据语义的需要，其后可接带形容词、副词、介词短语、现在分词、过去分词等的复合结构，但不能接带不定式的复合结构。如：
You must keep it a secret. 这事你得保密。
Sorry to have kept you up so late. 对不起让你这么晚都没睡。
A cold kept him in bed for three days. 一次感冒让他卧床3天。
She kept us waiting for a long time. 她让我们等了很久。
She advised that we should keep the gate locked. 她忠告我们要把门锁好。
3. 比较keep doing sth与keep on doing sth：两者均可表示反复发生的动作（即动作之间略有间隔）。如：
They kept (on) talking about it. 他们一直在谈论此事。
但是，如果表示持续的状态或连续不断的动作（动作之间没有间隔）时，通常只用keep doing sth。如：
He kept standing during the meeting. 开会时他一直站着。
另外，表示将一直在做的事继续做下去，通常只用 keep on doing。如：
He kept on working after dark. 天黑了我们还继续干。
Don’t give up; keep on trying. 别灰心，继续努力。
4. 比较keep doing sth与keep from doing sth：前者指不停地做某事，后者指克制自己不做某事。如：
I could hardly keep from laughing. 我简直忍不住大笑起来。
I hope you will keep from doing anything rash. 我希望你不要鲁莽行事。
5. 比较keep sb doing sth与keep sb from doing sth：前者指使某人不停地做某事，后者指使某人不做某事。如：
The snow kept us from going out. 下雪使我们没法出去。
He hung around for hours and, which was worse, kept me from doing my work. 他闲待了好几个钟头，更糟糕的是，这使我也没法工作。
作动词
keep，过去式和过去分词 kept
1. keep = to continue to have 保有；保存；保留
Keep medicines in a locked cupboard
(= store them there).
将药存放在上锁的橱柜里。
历年真题：
阅读（2015年5月）
The detectors were installed to keep weapon out of schools，but the scanners（扫描器）can also detect cell phones.
译文：安装探测器是为了保证武器不进入校园，但扫描器也可以检测到手机。
2. keep=care for 照顾，照看（某人的孩子）
Jody will keep the children while I shop.
我去买东西时，乔迪会照看孩子。
3. keep your promise/word 履行诺言
I made a promise to you and I intend to keep it.我向你作过承诺，我会履行的。
4. keep an appointment 守约
She phoned to say she couldn't keep her appointment.
她打电话说她无法守约了。
5. keep a diary, an account, a record, etc.
记日记／记账／作记录（等等）
I've kept a diary for twelve years now.到现在我记日记已有12年了。
6. keep a secret 保守秘密
7. keep time （表或钟）准时Does your watch keep good time?你的表准吗？
8. keep=to stay （使）留在（某处）；（使）保持（某状态）
I wish you'd keep quiet.
我希望你能保持安静。
I like to keep busy.
我喜欢一直忙忙碌碌的。Keep left (= stay on the road to the left) at the traffic lights.
到红绿灯处走左边的路。
Can you keep the dog outside, please?
你能让狗呆在外面吗？
Close the door to keep the room warm.
关上门让房间保持暖和。、
9. keep (on)= to continue doing something
继续（做）；重复（做）
He keeps trying to distract me.
他一直想分散我的注意力。
I keep on thinking I've seen her before somewhere.
我一直觉得以前在哪儿见过她。
历年真题：
Jarden and the zinc industry are fighting to keep the penny. Since 2006, Jarden has given $1.2 million to Americans for Common Cents (ACC). The group's mission is to keep the penny in use.
译文：“加登”和锌行业都在为继续使用1分硬币而努力。自从2006以来，“加登"已经给了”普通美分支持者“（简称ACC）组织了120万美元。这个组织的使命就是使1分硬币继续流通。
10. keep=to delay someone or prevent them from doing something 使耽误；阻止，妨碍I'm so sorry to keep you waiting.
很抱歉，让你久等了。
11. keep=to stay fresh and in good condition
（食物）保持新鲜，持久不坏
Milk keeps much longer in a fridge.
牛奶放在冰箱里保鲜时间会长很多。