Conjugation

Keep back

retenir

Irregular verb, phrasal verb.

  • Phrasal verb: back

    Only keep changes; back stays the same: kept back, kept back.

  • Object in the middle

    The object can go before back, as the card writes it: keep someone back. A pronoun always does: keep them back.

In speech, the helping verbs shorten: I’m, he’s, we’re, I’ve, I’ll, I’d.

Newbie

Enough to talk about now, the past, and your plans, and to give instructions.

  1. Present simple

    Habits, facts, and how things usually are. To say no or ask, add do or does: I don't keep back, he doesn't keep back.

    1. I / you / we / they keep back
    2. he / she / it keeps back

  2. Present continuous

    What is happening now, and plans already arranged: we’re leaving tomorrow.

    1. I am keeping back
    2. you / we / they are keeping back
    3. he / she / it is keeping back

  3. Past simple

    A finished action at a past time: yesterday, in 2020. To say no or ask, add did: I didn't keep back.

    1. I / you / he / she / it / we / they kept back

  4. Future with going to

    Plans and intentions, and what you can see coming: it’s going to rain.

    1. I am going to keep back
    2. you / we / they are going to keep back
    3. he / she / it is going to keep back

  5. Imperative

    Orders, advice, and instructions. Let’s suggests doing it together. To say no: don't keep back.

    1. (you) keep back
    2. let's keep back