Question 1

What does "keep in" mean?

Accepted Answer

(School context) To make a student stay inside, usually as a punishment, instead of going outside.

Question 2

How do you use "keep in" in a sentence?

Accepted Answer

The teacher kept three students in at lunchtime for not finishing their homework.

Question 3

Is "keep in" formal or informal?

Accepted Answer

"keep in" is register-neutral — appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. Has several distinct uses: (1) school context — a teacher keeps a pupil in (detention); (2) fire — to keep a fire burning so it doesn't go out; (3) British English 'keep in' with someone means to maintain a friendly relationship with them; (4) to retain something inside.

keep in

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