I retained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I retained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something you have kept in memory or possession, such as information, skills, or items. Example: "After studying for the exam, I retained a significant amount of information about the subject."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

And I retained them.

The Guardian - Music

The downside was that I retained so little.

The Guardian - Books

I retained no memory of ever meeting them.

The New Yorker

"I retained a respectful distance, as any ex-manager should do.

The Guardian - Sport

This picture of merely tactical defeat was not the one that I retained.

The New Yorker

"That is, if I retained any memory of having had meningitis when I was 6 months old".

The New York Times

Years later, when my love of the Yankees had faded somewhat, I retained my connection with Lindell.

The New Yorker

I retained all of the original characters but altered the voice and the tone to make it less 19th century".

The New Yorker

I knew nothing of English geography; of English history, I retained memories of Tudor cruelty and Victorian industry.

Independent

I retained the self-employed health insurance deduction and the deduction for contributions to a qualifying retirement plan.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

However, only the associations for ADHD and ADHD-I retained significant after corrections for multiplicity or logistic regression analyses adjusting the potential confounding effect of gender and age.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I retained" when you want to emphasize that you consciously kept something, whether it's information, a skill, or a possession, despite circumstances that might have caused you to lose it.

Common error

Avoid using "I retained" in simple contexts where "I kept" or "I remembered" would suffice. "I retained" adds a layer of formality and emphasis, so reserve it for situations where that nuance is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I retained" functions as a statement where the subject ("I") expresses the action of keeping or maintaining something. As shown by Ludwig AI, this can refer to maintaining possession, memory, or a particular state. It is a declarative statement commonly found across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

27%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I retained" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that the speaker kept or maintained something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread application across diverse contexts, including News & Media and Science. While it's generally suitable for neutral to formal registers, care should be taken not to overuse it in overly simplistic scenarios where words like "I kept" or "I remembered" might suffice. Remembering these nuances can lead to a more effective and precise use of language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I maintained

This alternative implies a continuous possession or preservation, differing slightly from simply keeping something at one point in time.

I kept

This is a more general term for holding onto something, lacking the nuance of conscious effort in preservation that "retained" suggests.

I preserved

This suggests a more active effort to maintain something in its original condition, going beyond simply keeping it.

I remembered

This alternative focuses specifically on recalling information or experiences, differing from the broader sense of keeping something, either physically or mentally.

I held onto

This implies a deliberate decision to keep something, often against some force or reason to let go.

I hung onto

Similar to "held onto", this emphasizes a tenacious grip, both literally and figuratively.

I conserved

This suggests careful management to avoid depletion, applicable when the subject is a resource or something valuable.

I held back

This implies restraint or preventing something from being released or expressed, a different type of keeping.

I guarded

This suggests protecting something from harm or theft, rather than merely keeping it.

I possessed

This refers to ownership or control, which is a stronger sense of keeping than simply retaining something.

FAQs

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

You can use "I retained" to indicate that you kept something, such as information or a position. For example, "After the training, "I retained" a good understanding of the new software" or "Despite the company restructuring, "I retained" my role as team leader".

What's the difference between "I retained" and "I kept"?

"I retained" implies a conscious effort or a specific reason for keeping something. "I kept" is a more general term. For example, you might say "I kept the receipt" for a routine action, but ""I retained" the information" to emphasize that you made an effort to remember it.

What can I say instead of "I retained"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "I maintained", "I remembered", or "I held onto". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "I retained" formal or informal?

"I retained" is generally considered more formal than alternatives like "I kept" or "I remembered". Use it in professional or academic contexts where a more precise and deliberate tone is appropriate.