Retain for future reference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Retain for future reference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to keep information or documents for later use or consultation. Example: "Please retain for future reference the documents we discussed during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Duke University

BioMed Research International

BMC Veterinary Research

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

University of Chicago

Stanford University

BMC Genomics

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

The New York Times

The New York Times - Sports

The Guardian - Tech

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Composite Structures

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Independent

Harvard University

University of California, Berkeley

Forbes

ROBOMECH Journal

TechCrunch

SEP

Boundary Value Problems

Advances in Difference Equations

Huffington Post

Vice

Los Angeles Times

BMC Medical Research Methodology

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

BMC Health Services Research

BMC Cancer

BMC Nephrology

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The remaining terms of C0 i.e., (h (PWi) ‖ SBi) is retained for future reference.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

The remaining terms of C0 i.e., (h (PWi) ‖ SBi) is retained for future reference.  .

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

This notice contains important information about the plans and your rights under ERISA, which should be read and retained for future reference.

Duke University

The voucher specimens were retained for future reference at Lanzhou University Second Hospital, China.

BioMed Research International

The brains of young lambs are considered unlikely to provide evidence of classical scrapie infection if examined, but, apart from these, the brains of other casualties and flock management culls, and also those of many of the sheep sent out from the Unit for research, are subjected to statutory diagnostic tests for scrapie at VLA Weybridge, and material retained for future reference.

BMC Veterinary Research

Four typewritten copies will be of the greatest convenience, the physician registering the case retaining one for future reference, on which he can place the Registry series number when he receives the final report.

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

Authors should print copies of the publishing agreement and the publishing options selected and retain these copies for future reference.

University of Chicago

Note: Deleted workgroups are marked inactive and retained in the system for future reference.

Stanford University

Note: Deleted workgroups and memberships are marked inactive and retained in the system for future reference.

Stanford University

Deleted workgroups are marked inactive and retained in the system for future reference.

Stanford University

The voucher specimen (CNH/48/2012/Tech II/805) was retained in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, BIT Mesra, Ranchi for future reference.

BioMed Research International

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to keep information or documents, be specific about what they should "retain for future reference" and why. This ensures they understand the importance of the material.

Common error

Avoid using "retain for future reference" in casual conversation. It's more appropriate for formal instructions, legal documents, or academic writing. In informal settings, use simpler alternatives like "keep this" or "remember this".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retain for future reference" functions as an instruction, directing the recipient to preserve information or materials for later use. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Academia

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Wiki

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Reference

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "retain for future reference" is a directive to preserve information for later use. While grammatically correct and widely recognized, Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is usable in written English. The phrase is more suitable for formal contexts, such as legal documents or academic writing, than casual conversation. Although the phrase itself has no explicit examples in Ludwig, semantically similar phrases exist, illustrating its usage across diverse fields. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about what needs to be retained and why, enhancing its effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Keep for future use

A more concise and direct alternative.

Save for later reference

Emphasizes the act of saving and the purpose of referencing later.

Retain for future consultation

Replaces "reference" with "consultation", implying a more active review later.

Hold onto for future needs

Suggests a potential future need for the information.

Maintain for future records

Focuses on maintaining a record for future use.

File away for future access

Highlights the act of filing and the ability to access it later.

Store for future review

Suggests that the item will be reviewed at a later date.

Keep on file for later

Similar to "file away" but more informal.

Archive for future retrieval

Implies a more formal and long-term storage.

Preserve for future examination

Suggests careful preservation for detailed examination later.

FAQs

What does "retain for future reference" mean?

The phrase "retain for future reference" means to keep something, typically a document or piece of information, so that it can be consulted or used at a later time. It's an instruction to save something for potential future use.

How can I use "retain for future reference" in a sentence?

You can use "retain for future reference" when you want someone to keep a record or information handy. For example, "Please retain this receipt for future reference when filing your taxes."

What are some alternatives to "retain for future reference"?

You can use alternatives like "keep for future use", "save for later reference", or "hold onto for future needs", depending on the context.

Is "retain for future reference" formal or informal?

The phrase "retain for future reference" is generally considered formal. In informal situations, it’s better to use simpler terms like "keep this" or "save this".