What Are Phrasal Verbs with KEEP?

Phrasal verbs are combinations of a main verb and one or two particles (prepositions or adverbs). These particles change the meaning of the verb.

El verbo keep is very common in English. When combined with different particles, it forms many useful phrasal verbs. These are important for B2 level English and for exams like the B2 First (FCE).

Essential Phrasal Verbs with KEEP for B2

Let's look at some key phrasal verbs with keep that you should know:

• Keep on: This means to continue doing something. It can also suggest that something happens repeatedly, perhaps annoyingly.
• Keep down: This phrasal verb has a few meanings:
  • To prevent something from increasing in number, level, or size.
  • To control noise or a feeling.
  • To manage to hold food in your stomach (not vomit).
• Keep in: This means to make someone stay inside, often in a hospital or school, or to control a feeling.
• Keep up with: This phrasal verb has two main meanings:
  • To move at the same speed as someone or something.
  • To understand or stay informed about something that is changing very fast.
• Keep to: This means to follow or stay with something, such as a plan, a path, a promise, or a subject.
• Keep away: This means to not go somewhere or near something, or to prevent someone from going near something.

Ejemplos

• Please keep on trying, you'll succeed eventually!
• The baby kept on crying for hours.
• We need to keep our expenses down this month.
• Can you keep the noise down? I'm trying to work.
• The doctor decided to keep him in for observation.
• It's hard to keep up with all the new technology.
• She walks so fast, I can't keep up with her.
• You must keep to the speed limit.
• Always keep to the main path when hiking.
• Keep away from the edge of the cliff, it's dangerous.

Práctica

Errores habituales de los hispanohablantes

Spanish speakers sometimes make mistakes with phrasal verbs with keep because of direct translation or confusion with similar verbs:

• Uso de keep instead of a phrasal verb: You might say I kept studying when you mean I kept on studying (continuar estudiando). While keep + -ing is often correct, keep on + -ing emphasizes the continuation or repetition more strongly.
• Confusing particles: For example, using keep up en lugar de keep up with when talking about staying at the same speed or level as someone. I can't keep up her is incorrect; it should be I can't keep up with her.
• Incorrect separability: Some phrasal verbs are separable (e.g., keep it down), while others are not (e.g., keep up with her). Knowing which ones can be separated is important.
• Direct translation of 'mantener': The Spanish verb 'mantener' has many uses. You cannot always translate it directly with keep. For example, 'mantener una promesa' is keep a promise (simple verb), but 'mantenerse alejado' is keep away (phrasal verb).

Preguntas más frecuentes

What is a phrasal verb?

A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a preposition or an adverb (or both) that creates a new meaning. For example, keep means 'to retain', but keep on means 'to continue'.

Are phrasal verbs with KEEP separable?

Some phrasal verbs with keep are separable, meaning you can put the object between the verb and the particle (e.g., keep the noise down). Others are inseparable, and the object must come after the particle (e.g., keep up with her). You need to learn which ones are which.

Why are phrasal verbs important for the B2 First (FCE) exam?

Phrasal verbs are very common in everyday English and academic contexts. For the B2 First (FCE) exam, you will encounter them in reading, listening, and particularly in the Use of English paper, where you might need to complete sentences or transform words using phrasal verbs. Mastering them shows a higher level of fluency and understanding.

How can I remember phrasal verbs with KEEP?

Try to learn them in context, not just as isolated words. Create your own example sentences, use flashcards, and practice using them in speaking and writing. Grouping them by meaning or particle can also help. Regular exposure through reading and listening is very effective.

Lecciones relacionadas

• Multi-word verbs
• Multi-word verbs