Definitions and Examples of keep, retain, hold onto
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
To continue to have or hold; not discard or dispose of.
Example
I decided to keep the old dress because it still fits me well.
To keep possession of; not let go or give away.
Example
He was able to retain his position as the team captain for another year.
Key Differences: keep vs retain vs hold onto
- 1Keep implies that you want to have something with you, while retain suggests that you want to keep something in your possession.
- 2Hold onto is a phrasal verb that means to keep something firmly, often with the intention of not letting go of it.
- 3Binned means to throw something away or discard it.
Effective Usage of keep, retain, hold onto
- 1Organizing: Use keep, retain, and hold onto when you want to keep something organized and tidy.
- 2Decision Making: Incorporate these antonyms when making decisions about what to keep and what to discard.
- 3Negotiation: Use these words to negotiate with others about keeping or discarding something.
Remember this!
The antonyms have distinct nuances: Keep implies wanting to have something with you, retain suggests keeping something in your possession, and hold onto means keeping something firmly. Use these words when organizing, making decisions, or negotiating with others.