QUICK ANSWER
"Move away" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "apartarse", and "keep back" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "mantenerse alejado". Learn more about the difference between "move away" and "keep back" below.
move away(
muv
uh
-
wey
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. apartarse
Move away from the window! There's a riot in the street.¡Apártate de la ventana! Hay un disturbio en la calle.
A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. apartar
Security moved the crowds away from the street so that president's security detail could pass.La seguridad apartó a la multitud de la calle para que pudiera pasar la cuadrilla de seguridad del presidente.
b. alejar
Madison made a face and moved the plate of Brussels sprouts away.Madison hizo una cara de desagrado y alejó el plato de col de Bruselas.
keep back(
kip
bahk
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. mantenerse alejado
We kept back from the seemingly inevitable drunken brawl.Nos mantuvimos alejados de la pelea de borrachos que parecía inevitable.
b. no acercarse
The family watched the waves breaking on the rocks, but they kept back in case of a rogue wave.La familia observó las olas romper sobre las rocas, pero no se acercaron por si hubo una ola gigante.
A transitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and requires a direct object (e.g., take out the trash.).
a. hacer repetir el curso
I was sick for so long during the spring that they kept me back the next year.Estuve enfermo durante tanto tiempo en la primavera que me hicieron repetir el curso el próximo año.
a. dejar castigado
Tim was kept back after school for writing rude words on the desk.A Tim lo dejaron castigado después de la escuela por haber escrito palabras groseras en el pupitre.
