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keep to

B1 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words

To stay with something and not change it — like following a plan or a path.

Literal meaning: To remain on or within a path or boundary.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To follow a route, path, or lane and not deviate from it.

"In the UK, drivers must keep to the left-hand side of the road."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral

To observe and not deviate from a plan, schedule, or agreement.

"If we keep to the original budget, we'll be fine — it's the unexpected costs that cause problems."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B1 neutral

To remain on a specific topic without going off-subject.

"Let's keep to the agenda — we only have 30 minutes for this meeting."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Used with schedules, budgets, paths, topics, plans, and rules. The phrase 'keep to the point' is very common in meetings. Also used in physical contexts ('keep to the left'). 'Keep to yourself / oneself' is a separate idiom meaning to be private.

Commonly used with

schedule budget path plan rules left point subject

Forms

Base
keep to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
keeps to
he/she/it
Past simple
kept to
yesterday
Past participle
kept to
have + pp
-ing form
keeping to
continuous

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Synonyms

stick to adhere to follow stay within observe abide by

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