I was retained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was retained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is hired or kept in a position, often referring to employment or legal representation. Example: "After a thorough interview process, I was retained by the firm to assist with their upcoming cases."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

One of my scariest assignments came when I was retained by a group in Ukraine to investigate whether President Leonid Kuchma had ordered the assassination of a journalist.

The New York Times

I was retained on behalf of Delwar Hossain Sayedee, Jamaat's leading cleric, who goes on trial for his life on Sunday.

The New York Times

In 2011 I was retained by the campus and the Department of Recreational Sports to study People's Park, among other locations, for an additional Department of Recreational Sports building.

University of California, Berkeley

In 2013, I was retained by the Physical and Environmental Planning Department and Intercollegiate Athletics to prepare an athletics facilities master plan in order to bring a more thoughtful and disciplined approach to facility development.

University of California, Berkeley

Last weekend, as part of a legal team put together by a solicitor, I was retained with two other barristers to consult with and advise the young leader of Hong Kong's Scholarism movement, Joshua Wong.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was retained by Shirley Shawe to argue that this forced sale is an unconstitutional "taking" of private property for a non-public purpose.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Probability of a node i being retained is denoted by Pretain[i] = Pro[i is retained].

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Assume m i  > m j, node i is retained, if m j is the only mark lower than m i in C i and j is not retained.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Probability of a node i with the second lowest mark in C i being retained is denoted by P2_retain[i].

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

In MMHCP, a node x i with the second lowest mark in C i is retained because node x j with the lowest mark is not retained.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Ret_own i is retained ownership by public and private firms of issue i.5 Risk i is aftermarket risk of public entities and privately owned firms.

Financial Innovation

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the phrase, contextualize it with the specific reason for the retaining. For example, "I was retained by the company to oversee the project."

Common error

Avoid using "I was retained" in casual conversation or informal writing. It can sound overly formal or pretentious. Instead, opt for simpler alternatives like "I was hired" or "I was asked".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was retained" functions as a statement indicating that the speaker was hired or engaged to perform a specific service or task. As Ludwig AI pointed out, this is often in a formal, professional, or legal context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was retained" is a grammatically correct way to express that you were hired or engaged for a particular task or service, often in a professional or legal setting. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and provides valuable context. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "I was hired", it adds a layer of formality. It's most frequently used in News & Media and Academia sources. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the formal tone of the communication and clearly defines the purpose for which you were retained.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was hired

Replaces "retained" with a more common and straightforward synonym.

I was employed

Similar to "hired" but slightly more formal.

I was engaged

Focuses on the act of being involved or occupied in a task or role.

I was commissioned

Suggests being formally requested or authorized to do something, often for a specific project.

I was appointed

Indicates being formally selected or designated for a position or task.

I was contracted

Emphasizes the existence of a formal agreement or contract.

I was selected

Highlights the competitive aspect of being chosen from a group of candidates.

I was recruited

Suggests active efforts were made to bring the person into a role or organization.

I was assigned

Implies being given a particular task or duty as part of a larger role.

I was kept on

Suggests continuous employment, implying that the speaker was already working in the position and was allowed to stay.

FAQs

What does "I was retained" mean?

The phrase "I was retained" means that someone was hired or engaged, typically in a professional or legal capacity, to provide services for a client or company. It suggests a formal agreement or contract.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "I was retained"?

It is most appropriate to use "I was retained" in professional or legal settings, such as when discussing being hired as a consultant, lawyer, or other specialized service provider. It's suitable for formal communication and documentation.

What can I say instead of "I was retained"?

You can use alternatives like "I was hired", "I was employed", or "I was engaged" depending on the context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "I was retained" more formal than "I was hired"?

Yes, "I was retained" generally carries a more formal and professional tone than "I was hired". The first suggests a specific, often documented, agreement, while the second is a more general term for employment.