Keep vs. Keeps – Which is Correct?
Keep and keeps are both correct forms of the verb keep. Use keep with I, you, we, or they; use keeps with he, she, or it. The choice depends on subject-verb agreement, not meaning. This guide explains forms, usage, examples, and a simple trick for choosing correctly in writing.
Keep or Keeps – Which is Correct?
Keep and keeps are both correct American English words. They are forms of the same verb, which can mean to retain, continue, store, obey, or remain in a particular condition. The correct choice depends on the subject of the sentence.
Use keep with the subjects I, you, we, and they. Use keeps with a singular third-person subject, such as he, she, it, or one singular noun.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the -s test: if the subject is he, she, it, or one person or thing, add -s to the verb and choose keeps. For all other subjects, use keep.
Compare these examples: They keep their promises, but She keeps her promises. The word she is singular, so the verb takes -s.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| keep | Verb | To retain, continue, or maintain | We keep the windows open. |
| keeps | Verb | The third-person singular present form of keep | He keeps the windows open. |
How to Use Keep
Keep is the base form of the verb. Use it after the subjects I, you, we, and they in the simple present tense. It is also used after modal verbs such as can, should, and will, and in commands.
The verb keep commonly means to continue doing something, hold on to something, prevent something from changing, or remain in a particular state. It is common in both casual and formal English.
Example 1: I keep a notebook beside my bed.
Example 2: They keep practicing until the performance is ready.
Example 3: Please keep the door closed during the meeting.
What are the different forms of keep?
Keep is an irregular verb, so its past tense and past participle are not formed by simply adding -ed. Its principal forms are keep, keeps, kept, and keeping.
| Verb Form | Example |
|---|---|
| Base form: keep | We keep our records organized. |
| Third-person singular: keeps | The system keeps the records organized. |
| Past tense: kept | She kept the receipt. |
| Present participle: keeping | He is keeping careful notes. |
Etymology of the word keep
Keep comes from the Old English word cēpan, meaning “to seize,” “hold,” or “observe.” Over time, its meaning expanded to include retaining possessions, protecting people, continuing an action, and remaining in a specific condition.
How to Use Keeps
Keeps is the third-person singular present-tense form of keep. Use it when the subject is he, she, it, or a singular noun. Do not use keeps with I, you, we, or they.
Example 1: She keeps her important documents in a safe.
Example 2: This machine keeps the food cold.
Example 3: Daniel keeps his phone on silent during class.
What are the different forms of keeps?
Keeps is not a separate verb with its own tense system. It is the third-person singular present form of keep. The other forms are keep, kept, and keeping.
After a helping verb or modal verb, use the base form keep, not keeps. For example, write She can keep the book, not She can keeps the book.
Etymology of the word keeps
Keeps comes from the same Old English root as keep. The ending -s is a grammatical marker added in modern English to show the third-person singular present tense.
Related Concepts
Understanding subject-verb agreement and verb forms makes it easier to choose between keep and keeps.
- Subject-verb agreement: A verb must match its subject in number and person. Singular third-person subjects generally require keeps, while plural subjects and the pronouns I and you use keep.
- Base form: The base form is the simplest form of a verb. Keep is used after modal verbs, in commands, and with several present-tense subjects.
- Irregular verbs: Irregular verbs do not always form their past tense by adding -ed. The past tense of keep is kept.
- Third-person singular: This refers to one person, place, thing, or idea described by he, she, it, or a singular noun. In the present tense, it usually takes a verb ending in -s.
Examples from Media and Literature
The forms keep and keeps appear frequently in books, films, journalism, and everyday public communication.
- Literature: In The Lord of the Rings, characters frequently discuss keeping promises, possessions, and people safe. The plural or command form uses keep, while a singular character may be described as someone who keeps a promise.
- Film: In The Godfather, advice about family loyalty illustrates the use of keep in commands and expressions about maintaining relationships.
- News writing: A report might state, “The organization keeps its records online,” because the organization is singular.
- Public instructions: Signs commonly say “Keep out,” “Keep right,” or “Keep the area clean.” These commands use the base form keep.
- Everyday conversation: A person may say, “She keeps asking the same question,” using keeps because she is a singular third-person subject.
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word to complete each sentence.
- They ______ their bicycles in the garage.
- My brother ______ a detailed journal.
- We should ______ the receipt for our records.
- The machine ______ the water at a steady temperature.
- I ______ a spare key in my desk.
Answer Key
- keep — The subject they takes the base form.
- keeps — The singular subject my brother takes the third-person singular form.
- keep — The modal verb should is followed by the base form.
- keeps — The singular subject the machine takes keeps.
- keep — The subject I takes the base form.
Keep Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| retain | To continue having or possessing something |
| preserve | To protect something from damage or change |
| maintain | To keep something in a particular condition |
| save | To avoid using, losing, or discarding something |
| continue | To carry on with an action or situation |
Keeps Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| retains | Continues to have or possess something |
| preserves | Protects something from damage or change |
| maintains | Keeps something in a particular condition |
| saves | Avoids using, losing, or discarding something |
| continues | Carries on with an action or situation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “keep” or “keeps” correct?
Both are correct. Use keep with I, you, we, and they; use keeps with he, she, it, or another singular third-person subject.
Question 2: Is it “she keep” or “she keeps”?
The correct phrase is she keeps. The singular third-person subject she requires the present-tense verb form ending in -s.
Question 3: Is it “they keep” or “they keeps”?
The correct phrase is they keep. The pronoun they takes the base form, even when it refers to one person using singular they.
Question 4: Should I write “can keep” or “can keeps”?
Write can keep. Modal verbs such as can, will, should, and must are followed by the base form of the verb.
Conclusion
Keep and keeps are both correct, but they serve different grammatical subjects. Use keep with I, you, we, they, after modal verbs, and in commands. Use keeps with singular third-person subjects such as he, she, it, or one singular noun. Pro Tip: Checking subject-verb agreement before publishing helps your writing appear polished and protects your professional reputation.
