Retain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Retain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of keeping possession of something or maintaining a particular state or condition. Example: "It is important to retain all receipts for your tax records."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The bureau will be hosted on the Guardian site but will retain its independence under Niknejad, who founded it as a blog in November 2008.

The Guardian

"We do retain some traditional parts of high school; kids still need to earn credit and study certain topics but we go about studying them a little differently," she explains.

The Guardian

Last year Clegg told Cameron that the police and MI5, which want to retain UK involvement in most of the justice measures, should be given a veto.

The Guardian

London's mayor, Boris Johnson, united with London Councils and the Core Cities group – made up of the eight largest cities in the UK – in calls for local politicians to have more power to raise and retain taxes.

The Guardian

Aleksandr Kokorin Only 23 and a relative newcomer to the international stage, the Dynamo Moscow player has emerged as first-choice striker under Fabio Capello and is expected to retain that position in Brazil at the expense of the experienced Aleksandr Kerzhakov.

The Guardian - Sport

It salvaged Schlesinger's box office reputation - and he was able to retain his large house in Los Angeles, a family home in the country and his immaculately decorated house off Kensington High Street.

The Guardian

But one thing is certain: if mainstream parties want to retain support in Wales, they will need to start talking about it.

The Guardian - Opinion

The IBF welterweight champion stopped Frankie Gavin inside six rounds to retain his title and further the view he is a man who is well and truly for the big time, or to be specific, a clash with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The Guardian - Sport

Investors will vote on the pay policies at next month's annual meeting and debate is already raging about whether to back the rewards, which Jenkins has argued are needed to retain top investment bankers.

The Guardian - Business

The Snowden revelations halfway through the last parliament led to profound discussions about surveillance, privacy and the extent of any necessity to inspect or retain personal data.

The Guardian - Tech

Rice noodles are popular in the cuisine of eastern and south-eastern Asia and are generally only lightly cooked to retain a slightly chewy texture.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "retain", consider the nuance of keeping something over time, especially when effort or intent is involved. Choose more direct synonyms like "keep" if the context is simple possession.

Common error

Avoid using "retain" when a simpler word like "keep" or "hold" would suffice. Overusing "retain" can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

Retain" primarily functions as a verb, signifying the act of keeping something in one's possession or use. Ludwig examples illustrate this with sentences about retaining independence, support, or even physical objects like houses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "retain" is a versatile verb frequently used to express the act of keeping something, whether it be a physical object, a position, or an abstract concept. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. While "retain" is generally appropriate for formal and professional contexts, simpler alternatives like "keep" may be preferable in more casual settings. Common usage includes preserving something over time, maintaining possession, or upholding a specific state. As demonstrated by Ludwig examples, "retain" appears frequently in news, business, and science, solidifying its position as a common and reliable term.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Keep

Focuses on maintaining possession or condition, often simpler and more direct than "retain".

Preserve

Emphasizes maintaining something in its original state or condition, often against deterioration.

Maintain

Highlights the continuation of a state or condition, sometimes implying effort or upkeep.

Hold

Implies grasping or possessing physically or figuratively.

Conserve

Focuses on careful preservation and efficient use of resources.

Uphold

Emphasizes supporting or defending a principle or law.

Safeguard

Highlights protection from harm or damage.

Secure

Focuses on ensuring something is protected and unthreatened.

Withhold

Indicates keeping something back or not giving it out.

Cling to

Suggests holding onto something tightly, often emotionally or desperately.

FAQs

How can I use "retain" in a sentence?

You can use "retain" to indicate keeping something, such as "The company aims to "retain its customers"" or "The dam is designed to "retain water"".

What are some alternatives to the word "retain"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "keep", "preserve", or "maintain" as substitutes for "retain".

Is there a difference between "retain" and "maintain"?

"Retain" often implies keeping something you already have, while "maintain" suggests keeping something in a particular condition. For example, you "retain" information, but you "maintain" a building.

When is it appropriate to use "retain" instead of "keep"?

"Retain" is often more formal and suggests a conscious effort to hold onto something, whereas "keep" is more general. Use "retain" when you want to emphasize the act of holding something secure or in possession.