Keep vs. Hold

What Is Their Main Difference?

Both are verbs and refer to retaining something/someone. However, 'keep' is mainly about taking possession of something whereas, 'hold' mainly refers to putting your fingers around something/someone and gripping them.

Differences

As stated above, 'keep' is more about taking possession of something or someone. 'Hold' is more about gripping something with your hands. Look:

Can you hold the door for me?

Holding the door for a woman is not an act of respect; Accepting that she is a human being and has her own rights is.

I wanna keep this notebook of yours close to my heart.

His father is trying to keep Damon away from me.

Similarities

The only similarity between these two is that they are both verbs. Check out the following examples:

I feel like keeping you locked up in this room and study you.

Hold me tight and enjoy the view.

Are They Interchangeable?

These two can never be used interchangeably because one is about grasping someone/something, whereas, the other one is about taking possession of something/someone. Compare:

✓ My father has kept this ring for over a decade now.

X My father has held this ring for over a decade now.

This one literally means holding something physically for nearly ten years which is not possible.

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