Retain its validity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retain its validity" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the continued relevance or applicability of a concept, argument, or rule over time. For example, "The theory will retain its validity even as new evidence emerges." Alternative expressions include "maintain its validity" and "preserve its validity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

."(16) Under Williams, general acceptance would retain its validity in Ohio's courts for at least another six years.

Harvard University

."(141) Under Williams, general acceptance would retain its validity in Ohio's courts for at least another six years.

Harvard University

How can their mutual mirroring, of such paramount importance to German Romanticism, be reconfigured to retain its validity after the Second World War?

Stanford University

Strikingly, he held that, even if all of Marx's predictions were false, Marxism still would retain its validity as a perspective on life and culture.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Interesting is that early patent law required patent holders to use the patent (a basic working requirement) in order to retain its validity.c Only this last element has not been taken over by contemporary patent law.

Life Sciences, Society and Policy

In conclusion, this study showed that the EC IFN-γ release assay is likely to retain its validity for the diagnosis of LTBI among HIV positive patients, with the caveat that its sensitivity decreases with advanced immuno-suppression.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In some ways, Morris's central point retains its validity.

The Guardian

Schmidt explained it like so: "When I write :, the out=come … is that the colon becomes the inquiring opened face, the question mark the torsion of the body turned to ask, and the whole of 'The Question' retains its validity".

The New Yorker

From Remark 2.1, Theorem A retains its validity when (f:Xtimes Xto R) is continuous or upper semicontinuous on (Xtimes X).

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Previous studies have shown that fitting neutral models to frequency data generated similar results as those obtained from fits based on individual counts and that the procedure retains its validity for comparative purposes [35], [51].

Plosone

Nevertheless, the Oparin-Haldane hypothesis retained its validity until 1980s [ 11] and was widely used in teaching biology.

Biology Direct

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing theories or models, use "retain its validity" to emphasize that the core principles still apply, even with new data or evolving circumstances. For example, "Despite the new findings, the basic model continues to "retain its validity".

Common error

Avoid assuming that "retain its validity" means something is entirely unchanged or universally applicable. Validity can be context-dependent, meaning a theory or principle might "retain its validity" within certain limitations but not others.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retain its validity" functions as a verbal phrase expressing the continuation of accuracy, relevance, or effectiveness. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it is commonly used to indicate that a theory, method, or principle continues to be sound or applicable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

Academia

30%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "retain its validity" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something continues to be accurate, relevant, or effective over time. While not exceedingly common, as shown by Ludwig's examples, it appears primarily in scientific, academic, and news contexts. Ludwig AI highlights its usage in scholarly discourse, confirming its appropriateness for formal and objective communication. When using the phrase, consider that validity may be context-dependent and that it does not necessarily mean something is universally applicable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Maintain its validity

Focuses on the act of keeping or preserving validity.

Preserve its validity

Emphasizes protecting validity from potential harm or degradation.

Keep its validity

A more straightforward way of saying to maintain validity.

Sustain its validity

Highlights the ability of something to continue being valid over a longer period.

Uphold its validity

Implies defending or supporting the validity of something against challenges.

Ensure its validity

Focuses on taking steps to guarantee that something remains valid.

Guarantee its validity

More assertive, implying a firm assurance of continued validity.

Validate continuously

Highlights an active and ongoing process of validation.

Ensure its continued relevance

Shifts focus to the practical applicability and importance of something.

Maintain its relevance

Focuses on ensuring the ongoing pertinence of something.

FAQs

How can I use "retain its validity" in a sentence?

You can use "retain its validity" to indicate that something continues to be accurate, relevant, or effective over time. For example, "The original hypothesis continues to "retain its validity" despite new evidence."

What are some alternatives to "retain its validity"?

Some alternatives include "maintain its validity", "preserve its validity", or "keep its validity". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more accurate to say "retain its validity" or "maintain its validity"?

"Retain its validity" and "maintain its validity" are largely interchangeable. "Retain" suggests keeping something from being lost, while "maintain" implies actively preserving something in its current state. The difference is subtle.

In what contexts is "retain its validity" commonly used?

The phrase "retain its validity" is often used in academic, scientific, and legal contexts when discussing theories, laws, or principles that continue to hold true. It's also applicable when discussing the "continued relevance" or accuracy of data, methods, or arguments.