Cool MateHold that vs Keep that vs Stop that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hold that
Top 3,000 (common)
Keep that
Top 2,000 (common)
Stop that
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
| Hold that | Keep that | Stop that | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //həʊld ðæt//🇺🇸 //hoʊld ðæt// | 🇬🇧 //kiːp ðæt//🇺🇸 //kip ðæt// | 🇬🇧 //stɒp ðæt//🇺🇸 //stɑp ðæt// |
| Meaning | Keep something in a particular position. | To continue having or holding something. | Tell someone to not continue something. |
| Example | Can you **hold that** for a moment while I grab my phone? | Please keep that gift safe until her birthday. | When the dog started barking loudly, I had to shout, 'Stop that!' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | hold that thought, hold that position, hold that device | keep that in mind, keep that safe, keep that secret | stop that noise, stop that behavior, stop that game |
| Common mistakes | 'Hold that' is often confused with 'keep that', but they have slightly different connotations., Learners may forget to include the object after 'hold that'., Some use 'hold that' incorrectly without context, making it unclear. | Confused with 'keep it', which implies holding a specific item., Used too literally; can be a metaphor or idiomatic. | Using in too formal a context., Not realizing it can sound rude without context., Confusing with 'stop it' which tends to sound less abrupt. |
| Usage notes | Use 'hold that' when asking someone to stop or pause, often in conversations or instructions. It is not typically used in overly formal contexts. | Commonly used in both spoken and written English. It’s informal but appropriate in most contexts. Avoid using it in very formal situations. | Used when you want someone to cease an action. Common in casual contexts; might not be appropriate in very formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Hold that vs Keep that vs Stop that
What's the difference between Hold that, Keep that, and Stop that?
Hold that: Keep something in a particular position. Keep that: To continue having or holding something. Stop that: Tell someone to not continue something.
Can you show an example of each?
Hold that: Can you **hold that** for a moment while I grab my phone? Keep that: Please keep that gift safe until her birthday. Stop that: When the dog started barking loudly, I had to shout, 'Stop that!'
Can I use Hold that, Keep that, and Stop that interchangeably?
Not always. Hold that, Keep that, and Stop that are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.