allowed to retain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "allowed to retain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where permission is granted to keep or hold onto something. Example: "Employees are allowed to retain their personal belongings in the office after hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Should Habitat be allowed to retain control over who gets to purchase the homes it builds?

Harvard University

No one should be allowed to retain associate status for more than three years.

The Guardian

Municipalities were allowed to retain some of the taxes they collected on the centre's behalf.

The Economist

He is allowed to retain his dignity because of protocol and tradition.

Independent

After a public outcry and the prime minister's intervention, Ms. Hirsi Ali was allowed to retain her passport.

The New York Times

He was allowed to retain his Citibank telephone number and was given a letter of reference by Citibank.

The New York Times

Corporate taxes would also fall, and shareholders would be allowed to retain a larger part of their capital gains.

The New York Times

The immediate victor was CBS's owner, Viacom, which will be allowed to retain its stake in the UPN network.

The New York Times

He insisted that "under no circumstances" would North Korea be allowed to retain possession of nuclear weapons.

The New York Times

Farmers were also allowed to retain 30% of a new quota on production a much bigger share than before.

The Economist

Athletes now are also allowed to retain an agent, although in that case, their tax bite is higher, 69percentt.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "allowed to retain", ensure that the context clearly indicates who is granting the permission and what is being retained. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "allowed to retain" implies unrestricted use or modification. The permission may be limited to specific conditions or purposes. Always clarify the scope of the allowance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "allowed to retain" functions as a verb phrase, indicating permission or authorization to keep possession of something. It combines an auxiliary verb (allowed) with an infinitive verb (to retain), modifying a noun or pronoun to show that retaining something is permissible. Ludwig examples demonstrate this function clearly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "allowed to retain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that conveys permission or authorization to keep something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears across diverse contexts, from news reports and scientific articles to encyclopedias and academic papers, showing its widespread applicability. While generally neutral in register, clarity about who grants the permission and what is being retained is key to avoiding ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "permitted to keep" or "authorized to hold" can be used to vary wording while maintaining the core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

permitted to keep

This alternative uses "permitted" instead of "allowed", emphasizing formal authorization.

have permission to possess

This option highlights the granting of consent to own something.

authorized to hold

This option conveys official approval to possess something temporarily.

granted the ability to maintain

It emphasizes the conferral of the capacity to preserve something.

may continue to hold

This suggests ongoing permission to keep something.

given leave to maintain

This sounds more formal, implying official consent to continue holding something.

are authorized to conserve

This alternative implies a formal endorsement to protect something, often resources.

entitled to preserve

This phrase suggests a legal or moral right to maintain something.

can keep without penalty

This phrase focuses on the absence of negative consequences for retaining something.

empowered to safeguard

This implies having the authority and power to protect and keep something.

FAQs

How can I use "allowed to retain" in a sentence?

Use "allowed to retain" to indicate that someone has permission to keep something. For example, "Employees are "allowed to retain" their company laptops after hours."

What's a more formal way to say "allowed to retain"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "permitted to keep" or "authorized to hold". For instance, "The applicant is "authorized to hold" their current position pending review."

Is it correct to say "enable to retain" instead of "allowed to retain"?

"Enable to retain" focuses on providing the means to keep something, while "allowed to retain" focuses on granting permission. Use "enable to retain" when discussing capabilities and "allowed to retain" when discussing authorization. For example, "The software upgrade will "enable to retain" data more efficiently."

What's the difference between "allowed to retain" and "required to retain"?

"Allowed to retain" indicates that keeping something is optional and permitted. Conversely, "required to retain" indicates that keeping something is mandatory. For example, "Students are "required to retain" their receipts for tax purposes."