Tenir vs garder

Question

How do I know which to use our of tenir and garder in any particular context, please?

Cécile Janty-Davies · Accepted Answer

Bonjour Leigh, 
To me, they are very distinct verbs -
garder = to keep ( in the sense of retaining, preserving, or watching over)

Je garde ce livre =  I'm keeping this book (not giving it away)
garder un secret =  to keep a secret (retain it, don't tell)
garder les enfants =  to watch/babysit the children
garder son calme = to keep one's calm

tenir = to hold (physically grasping)

Je tiens ta main = I'm holding your hand
Tenir un livre à la main = to hold a book in your hand

Sometimes tenir is translated as 'to keep' in the sense of maintaining or upholding as in -

tenir une promesse = to keep a promise
tenir un secret = to keep a secret
tenir un journal = to keep a diary

Hope this helps!

Jim Jones · Answer

Bonjour Leigh,
https://dictionnaire.lerobert.com/synonymes/tenir
 
Have a look at the link above  --  garder appears in the list of synonyms of tenir and gives a hint of potential usage.
I hope you will find this helpful.
Bonne journée
Jim