being retained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being retained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that someone or something is being kept or held in a particular position or state. Example: "The employee is being retained for another year due to their exceptional performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But then we were stumped that he was being retained.

The Guardian

You complain of the DNA database samples being retained.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dr. Baden said he was not being retained by the Zadroga family.

The New York Times

They are not being retained to protect the country, but to overthrow the government".

The New York Times

They told him he was being retained, presumably because of financial reasons.

The New York Times

"This is really where the old Portuguese way of life is being retained".

The New York Times - Travel

Franklin has a only 61% chance of being retained by Labor, and it sits on a 10.8% TPP margin.

The Guardian

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: "There's been no change in policy regarding the files that are being retained.

The Guardian

Globally, there are trillions of pounds being retained by corporations who see no viable avenue for profitable investment.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is due to secondary moderns and grammar schools being retained there as well as private school provision being high.

The Guardian

"They've got to go in now and declare war," said Mr. Fields, who is being retained as a Republican consultant.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being retained", ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the retaining and the reason for the retention.

Common error

Avoid using "being retained" when an active voice would be clearer. For instance, instead of "The data is being retained by the system", consider "The system retains the data" for a more direct and concise sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being retained" functions as a passive gerund phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being kept or held. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts, such as employment, data storage, and physical structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being retained" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that indicates a state of preservation or continuation. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English across diverse contexts. While it is suitable for formal communication, writers should consider whether an active construction would provide greater clarity. Understanding the distinction between "being retained" and similar phrases like "being detained" ensures precise and effective communication. The prevalence of this phrase in news, science, and business further underscores its relevance in various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being preserved

Focuses on maintaining something in its original condition over time.

being maintained

Emphasizes ongoing effort to keep something in a certain state.

being sustained

Implies that something is being supported or kept alive.

remaining in place

Indicates that something is staying in its current location or position.

existing retained

Highlights the continued existence as a result of being kept.

continuing to hold

Focuses on the action of keeping something without interruption.

consequently retained

Specifies that being kept is a result of a previous action or condition.

remaining employed

Specifically refers to someone keeping their job.

being detained

Suggests a temporary holding or confinement, often against someone's will.

incorporating retained

Implies the inclusion of something that is kept within a larger system.

FAQs

How can I use "being retained" in a sentence?

"Being retained" indicates that something is being kept or held. For example, "The employee is being retained due to their valuable skills."

What can I say instead of "being retained"?

You can use alternatives like "being preserved", "being maintained", or "remaining in place" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "being retained" or a more active construction?

While "being retained" is grammatically correct, using an active construction, such as "The company retains", often results in a clearer and more concise sentence.

What's the difference between "being retained" and "being detained"?

"Being retained" implies keeping something, while "being detained" suggests a temporary holding or confinement, usually against one's will.