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Grammar fix

keep your word

do as promised

To do what you said you would do or promised to do.

collocationB1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • You can trust Anna to keep her word; she always does what she says.daily life
  • In my opinion, it's important to keep your word because it builds trust between people.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: keep + your/his/her/their word

WrongHe held his word.

RightHe kept his word.

You KEEP your word — not 'hold' it.

Patternkeep + your/his/her/their word

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff He fulfilled his verbal commitment.

Natural He kept his word.

'Keep your word' is the set phrase; 'fulfil a verbal commitment' is formal.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • keep your word
    keepbreakalwaysa man of

Don't confuse it

The opposite is 'break your word,' which means not doing what you promised.

Try it in Daily Speak →