Keep means “to take and hold.” It’s a very common verb in English. You can also use it with the continuous tense, like these examples:
- I am studying English.
- I keep studying English.
The first sentence means you are now studying. It also means you are continuing to study.
The second sentence is different. It also means you are now studying, and it also means you are continuing to study. But now it means something is wrong, or something is difficult. The sentence is very simple, but when someone hears you say this, they will know it is difficult, or you failed something.
Here is a longer sentence for an example.
- I failed my mathematics test, but I keep studying anyway.
This means you had a problem — you failed the test. But you are studying anyway. Even though it is difficult, you keep studying.
Here is another one.
- I didn’t have any cash, so I kept using my credit card.
Now we’re using the past tense. In a normal continuous tense sentence, you would say I was using my credit card. For that, “was” is the “be” verb for first person — “I” — and for the past.
For I kept using my credit card, “keep” has to change to past tense, first person — “kept.” “Keep” does the same thing as the “be” verb, and has to carry the tense for the correct subject.
Here are the two examples from class today.
- I don’t speak Japanese, but I keep studying it.
- She keeps trying, even though she failed twice.
Try and use it in some of your journal writings this week. 
