Cool MateDon't let go vs Keep
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Don't let go
Top 2,000 (common)
Keep
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Most common: Keep
| Don't let go | Keep | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dəʊnt lɛt ɡəʊ//🇺🇸 //doʊnt lɛt ɡoʊ// | 🇬🇧 /["/kiːp/","/kiːps/","/kept/","/ˈkiːpɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kiːp/","/kiːps/","/kept/","/ˈkiːpɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To stop holding something tightly. | To have or hold something in your possession. |
| Example | Don't let go of the rope! | Please keep your room clean. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | don't let go of, don't let go easily, don't let go ever, don't let go tightly | well |
| Antonyms | - | discard, release, abandon |
| Common mistakes | Translating directly from another language and losing the phrasal meaning., Confusing it with 'let go' which means to release., Using it when referring to non-physical contexts without clarification. | Confusing 'keep' with 'keep on' which suggests continuation., Using 'keep' without an object (e.g. saying 'I keep' instead of 'I keep it')., Incorrectly using 'kept' as a present tense. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in both spoken and written contexts. It's often imparted as advice or encouragement. Avoid using in very formal situations. | Use 'keep' when you want to indicate retaining something. It is suitable for both spoken and written contexts. Avoid using 'keep' in overly formal writing; alternatives like 'retain' may be better. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Don't let go vs Keep
What's the difference between Don't let go and Keep?
Don't let go: To stop holding something tightly. Keep: To have or hold something in your possession.
Which is more common: Don't let go and Keep?
Keep is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Don't let go: Don't let go of the rope! Keep: Please keep your room clean.
Can I use Don't let go and Keep interchangeably?
Not always. Don't let go and Keep 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.