being retained.

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being retained." is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are discussing the act of keeping or holding onto something, such as information, employees, or resources. Example: "The company is focused on being retained as a leader in the industry by investing in innovation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Being retained had no effect on students' chances of graduating.

Harvard University

But then we were stumped that he was being retained.

The Guardian

Only 200 maintenance work ers are being retained.

The New York Times

You complain of the DNA database samples being retained.

The Guardian - Opinion

This prevents a misleading value from being retained in the header of the merged file.

Harvard University

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being retained", ensure the context clearly indicates what is doing the retaining and what is being retained to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid overusing "being retained" in contexts where an active voice would be more direct and impactful. For instance, instead of "The data is being retained by the system", consider "The system retains the data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being retained" functions primarily as a passive verb phrase. It describes a state or condition where something is kept or maintained by an unspecified actor. As shown by Ludwig, its use emphasizes the object or subject receiving the action of retaining, rather than the agent performing the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

32%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "being retained" is a versatile phrase that functions as a passive verb, indicating that something is being kept or maintained. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used across diverse contexts. Its usage spans from formal academic papers and scientific journals to news articles and business reports. When writing, remember to consider if the passive construction suits the intended emphasis; if the agent performing the action is less important than the entity receiving it, "being retained" is an appropriate choice. While common, ensure clarity and avoid overuse of passive voice for a more direct style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being kept

Focuses on the simple act of keeping something, without necessarily implying a specific purpose or duration.

being maintained

Emphasizes the ongoing effort to keep something in good condition or working order.

being preserved

Highlights the act of protecting something from decay or loss, often with a focus on its original state.

being held

Implies a temporary state of being kept, often physically.

being conserved

Stresses the careful management of resources to avoid depletion.

being sustained

Focuses on the ability to continue or prolong something.

remaining

Highlights the state of staying in a particular place or condition.

being upheld

Emphasizes the act of maintaining or defending a principle or decision.

being safeguarded

Stresses the protection of something from harm or risk.

being secured

Implies that something is being made safe or protected from theft or attack.

FAQs

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

You can use "being retained" to describe something that is kept or maintained, such as "The employees are "being retained" after the merger" or "The original design is "being retained" in the updated version".

What are some alternatives to "being retained"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "being retained" include "being kept", "being maintained", or "being preserved".

Is it better to use "being retained" or "retaining"?

The choice between "being retained" and "retaining" depends on whether you want to use the passive or active voice. "Retaining" is active (e.g., "The company is retaining employees"), while "being retained" is passive (e.g., "Employees are "being retained" by the company").

In what situations is "being retained" most appropriate?

"Being retained" is particularly useful when the focus is on the object or person that is kept, rather than the entity doing the keeping. It's common in formal or technical writing where the action's recipient is more important.