Cool MateHold that vs Keep that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hold that
Top 3,000 (common)
Keep that
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Keep that
| Hold that | Keep that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //həʊld ðæt//🇺🇸 //hoʊld ðæt// | 🇬🇧 //kiːp ðæt//🇺🇸 //kip ðæt// |
| Meaning | Keep something in a particular position. | To continue having or holding something. |
| Example | Can you **hold that** for a moment while I grab my phone? | Please keep that gift safe until her birthday. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (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 |
| 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. |
| 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. |
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Frequently asked questions: Hold that vs Keep that
What's the difference between Hold that and Keep that?
Hold that: Keep something in a particular position. Keep that: To continue having or holding something.
Which is more common: Hold that and Keep that?
Keep that is the most common in everyday English.
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.
Can I use Hold that and Keep that interchangeably?
Not always. Hold that and Keep 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.