be retrieved

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be retrieved" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something is expected to be recovered or obtained, often in relation to data or information. Example: "The lost files can be retrieved from the backup server."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others might never be retrieved.

The New York Times - Arts

What else could be retrieved?

The New York Times - Magazine

Once confiscated, large dogs cannot be retrieved.

The New York Times

Can any of him be retrieved?

The New York Times - Arts

Some documentation strings can't be retrieved.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Memories can be retrieved like cash at ATM's.

The New York Times - Arts

They were told their votes could not be retrieved.

The New York Times

Once buried, it can never truly be retrieved.

The New York Times - Arts

And any answers they don't have will be retrieved quickly.

The Guardian

She cries to realise that "everything can be retrieved".

The Guardian - Books

The model software can be retrieved via anonymous ftp.

Advances in Space Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about data or information, use "be retrieved" to emphasize the possibility of accessing it again from a storage location or database.

Common error

Avoid using "retrieve" in the active voice when the passive voice is more appropriate. For example, instead of "You can retrieve the data", use "The data can be retrieved" to maintain a formal and objective tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be retrieved" primarily functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that something is capable of being accessed or recovered. Ludwig examples show it's often used in contexts where data, information, or objects are the subjects of recovery.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

40%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be retrieved" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction that conveys the possibility or ability to access or recover something. According to Ludwig, it is frequently used in scientific, news, and academic contexts. While alternatives like ""be recovered"" and "be obtained" exist, "be retrieved" is particularly suited for contexts involving data or information access. A key writing tip is to avoid using the active voice when the passive form is more appropriate, maintaining a formal and objective tone. In essence, "be retrieved" effectively communicates the potential for something to be accessed or recovered from a stored or lost state.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be recovered

Focuses more on regaining something lost or stolen.

be obtained

Emphasizes the act of getting or acquiring something, often through a process.

be regained

Highlights the restoration of something previously lost, especially qualities or positions.

be reclaimed

Suggests the act of taking something back that was once under someone else's control.

be recalled

Specifically refers to remembering or bringing something back to mind.

be accessed

Implies gaining entry to or the ability to use something, particularly data or systems.

be restored

Focuses on returning something to its original condition.

be extracted

Indicates the process of carefully removing or drawing something out from a source.

be accessed again

Emphasizes re-entry and usage of the item.

be fetched

Describes going to get something and bringing it back.

FAQs

How to use "be retrieved" in a sentence?

Use "be retrieved" when you want to express that something can be accessed or recovered. For example, "The lost document can "be recovered" from the archive".

What can I say instead of "be retrieved"?

You can use alternatives like ""be recovered"", "be obtained", or "be accessed" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "be retrieved" or "be retrieve"?

"Be retrieved" is the correct passive form. "Be retrieve" is grammatically incorrect. The past participle "retrieved" should always be used in this passive construction.

What's the difference between "be retrieved" and "be restored"?

"Be retrieved" generally means to access or get something back from where it is stored. "Be restored" means to return something to its original condition. For example, data can "be retrieved" from a backup, while a painting can "be restored" to its original state.