I have retained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I have retained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that has been kept, preserved, or maintained over time, such as knowledge, information, or physical items. Example: "I have retained all the important documents from the project for future reference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

"I have retained a special relationship with Cuban reality," he told me during a recent visit.

The New Yorker

Of the rest of that afternoon, I have retained only faint impressions.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I have retained this feeling of being the youngest, even though now I am almost the oldest person I know.

The New York Times

Our stay was relatively short, but I have retained an interest in the virtues of shared living.

The Guardian

"I have retained counsel that is preparing the paperwork to renounce the citizenship," he told the newspaper on Sunday.

The Guardian

In his letter, Mr. Schulz said that "Credit Suisse, who I have retained as my financial adviser, is highly confident that it can arrange the necessary debt financing".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

I've retained that.

The New York Times

But, rightly or wrongly, I've retained some integrity.

The Guardian

I've retained a weakness for being served through hatches.

The Guardian

It read (I've retained the original spelling and punctuation): April 2 , 1946

The New York Times

I just figured that whatever I had retained would percolate down in some way.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I have retained" to express that you have kept something, whether it's a physical object, a piece of information, or a skill, over a period of time.

Common error

Avoid using "I have retained" when you mean to say you acquired or obtained something new. "Retained" implies keeping something you already had, whereas "obtained" suggests gaining something for the first time.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I have retained" functions as a present perfect tense construction, where 'have' is the auxiliary verb and 'retained' is the past participle of the verb 'retain'. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct. This construction typically indicates an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Huffington Post

14%

Science

3%

Less common in

The New Yorker

3%

The Guardian

3%

Vice

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I have retained" is a grammatically sound phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig, that is commonly used to indicate the continued possession or preservation of something. It appears frequently in news and media contexts and conveys a slightly formal tone. While it's often used to express the maintenance of memories, skills, or legal representation, it is important not to confuse it with obtaining something new. Consider using alternatives like "I have preserved" or "I have kept" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I have preserved

Replaces 'retained' with 'preserved', emphasizing the act of keeping something intact.

I have maintained

Substitutes 'retained' with 'maintained', highlighting the continuous effort to keep something in a certain condition.

I have kept

Uses the simpler verb 'kept' instead of 'retained', making the phrase more informal.

I have remembered

Focuses on the mental aspect of keeping something in memory, rather than physical retention.

I have held onto

Emphasizes the act of not letting go of something, whether physically or mentally.

I have not forgotten

Highlights the negative aspect of remembering, implying that something has been actively kept in mind.

I have stored

Implies a more deliberate and organized way of keeping something, like information.

I still possess

Emphasizes the continued ownership or control of something.

I continue to have

Highlights the ongoing nature of possessing something.

I have upheld

Focuses on the act of maintaining a principle, value, or standard.

FAQs

How can I use "I have retained" in a sentence?

You can use "I have retained" to indicate that you've kept something, like, a memory, a skill, or information. For example, "I have retained a clear memory of that day."

What's a more formal way to say "I have retained"?

A more formal alternative to "I have retained" could be "I have preserved" or "I have maintained". For instance, "I have preserved all the documents related to the case."

What can I say instead of "I have retained" when referring to information?

When referring to information, you can use phrases like "I have remembered", or "I have not forgotten". Example: "I have remembered the key points from the presentation."

Is "I have retained" the same as "I have kept"?

While similar, "I have retained" often implies a more conscious or deliberate effort to keep something. "I have kept" is generally more casual and can refer to simply not discarding something, whereas, retained implies that something has been actively kept in mind.