He found a penny and kept it.

Meaning: This means he discovered a penny and decided to save it rather than spend it.

Choice of Words: Penny is a coin worth one cent, the smallest unit of currency in the United States. Kept means to hold or possess something. So, "He found a penny and kept it" means he found a penny and decided to hold on to it, probably because he values it.

Alternative Expressions

The boy discovered a penny and held onto it.

Meaning: This sentence means the same as the first sentence, but it uses different words to express the same idea.

Choice of Words: The boy is a noun phrase that refers to a young male person. Discovered is a verb that means to find or learn something new. A penny is a type of coin worth one cent. Held onto is a verb phrase that means to keep something in one's possession.

A young lad came across a penny and chose to retain it.

Meaning: This sentence means the same as the first two sentences, but it uses more formal language.

Choice of Words: A young lad is a noun phrase that refers to a young boy. Came across is a verb phrase that means to find or encounter something. A penny is a type of coin worth one cent. Chose to retain is a verb phrase that means to decide to keep something.

Related Expressions