keep、retain、reserve、preserve、conserve与withhold这些动词均有“保持、保存”之意。
keep : 最常用词，指长时间牢固地保持或保存。
- Do you want this photograph back or can I keep it?
你想要回这张照片，还是我留着它？ - Keep medicines in a locked cupboard (= store them there).
将药存放在上锁的橱柜里。
retain : 指继续保持。
- She has lost her battle to retain control of the company.
她被打败了，失去了继续掌管公司的权力。 - He managed to retain his dignity throughout the performance.
在整个表演过程中，他设法保持了自己的尊严。 - She succeeded in retaining her lead in the second half of the race.
在比赛的后半程中，她成功地保住了领先地位。 - I have a good memory and am able to retain (= remember) facts easily.
我记忆力很好，记东西不费劲。
reserve : 正式用词，指为了将来的用途或其他用途而保存、保留。
- I reserve Mondays for tidying my desk and answering letters.
我把周一的时间留出来专门清理办公桌和回复信件。 - These seats are reserved for the elderly and women with babies.
这些座位是专留给老人和抱小孩的妇女的。 - I reserve judgment on this issue (= I won't give an opinion on it now) until we have more information.
在我们得到更多的信息之前，我暂不对此事发表意见。
preserve : 主要指为防止损害、变质等而保存。
- to preserve the environment
保护环境 - We want to preserve the character of the town while improving the facilities.
我们想在改善市镇设施的同时保持其特色。 - The agreement preserved our right to limit trade in endangered species.
这项协议保留了我们限制濒危物种贸易的权利。 - Putting varnish on wood is a way of preserving it.
在木料上涂清漆是保护木料的一种方法。 - I need to get out of the house from time to time just to preserve (= prevent me from losing) my sanity.
我需要时不时到户外去以保持头脑清醒。
conserve : 一般指保存自然资源，保全人的精力、力量等。
- To conserve electricity, we are cutting down on our heating.
为了省电，我们在减少中央供热。 - The nationalists are very eager to conserve their customs and language.
民族主义者非常热衷于保留他们的习俗和语言。 - I'm not being lazy - I'm just conserving my energy/strength for later.
我不是在偷懒——我只是在为以后保存精力／体力。
withhold : 指扣住不放，暗示有阻碍。
- to withhold information/support
拒绝提供消息／给予支持 - During the trial, the prosecution was accused of withholding crucial evidence from the defence.
审判期间，原告方被指控对被告方隐瞒了十分重要的证据。 - Police are withholding the dead woman's name until her relatives have been informed.
在通知女性死者的亲属之前，警方拒绝透露她的名字。 - She withheld her rent until the landlord agreed to have the repairs done.
她拒付房租，直到房东答应进行维修。 - The government is planning to withhold benefit payments from single mothers who refuse to name the father of their child.
对于那些拒绝说出自己孩子的父亲是谁的单身母亲，政府正在计划取消她们的救济金。
