did not retain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not retain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not kept, remembered, or held onto, often in contexts related to memory or possession. Example: "Despite the extensive training, the participants did not retain the information as expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

MIL-53-lt did not retain its closed-pore form in the MMM.

Microporous and Mesoporous Materials

However, once BMI was controlled, this difference did not retain significance.

Stanford University

He said that ESPN has no regrets that it did not retain Mountain West rights.

The New York Times - Sports

Bank of America, which has its own investment bankers, did not retain outside advisers.

The New York Times

We know that the Wampanoag did not retain control of their lands.

The New York Times - Books

In Percy Grainger Australia produced (but did not retain) a musician of remarkable originality and ability.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Ashcroft has said he spoke from handwritten notes and did not retain a copy.

The New York Times

She did not retain the money but put it into a medical school account.

The New York Times

Mica only retained sorbed chromium, Fe oxide sorbed cadmium and lead, and kaolinite did not retain sorbed copper.

Journal of Hazardous Materials

Additional countries held elections in the period dating roughly 1943 to 1962, though again many did not retain democratic governments.

Britannica

I did not retain these emails, as I thought I wouldn't need them after the story ran.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did not retain", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Alternatives like "failed to keep" or "did not preserve" may be more appropriate depending on whether you're emphasizing a failure to maintain possession or a lack of protective measures.

Common error

Avoid stacking negative constructions. Instead of saying "did not not retain", rephrase to use a positive statement, such as "maintained" or "preserved" depending on the intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not retain" functions as a verb phrase expressing the negation of keeping or holding onto something. This can relate to physical objects, information, or abstract concepts. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

37%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "did not retain" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a lack of preservation, memory, or continued possession. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. The phrase is most frequently encountered in scientific and news-related contexts. When choosing an alternative, consider the specific nuance you wish to convey, such as emphasizing a failure to keep something ("") or a lack of protective measures (did not preserve"). Avoid overuse of negatives for clarity. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "did not retain" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to keep

Focuses on the failure to maintain possession or condition.

did not preserve

Emphasizes the lack of protection or maintenance to keep something intact.

lost possession of

Highlights the act of losing control or ownership.

could not maintain

Indicates an inability to sustain or uphold something.

did not hold onto

Suggests a failure to grasp or secure something firmly.

ceased to have

Implies a termination of ownership or a characteristic.

relinquished control of

Focuses on the act of giving up power or authority.

did not conserve

Highlights the failure to save or protect something valuable.

failed to remember

Specifically refers to a failure of memory or recall.

did not keep up

Indicates an inability to maintain pace or standard.

FAQs

How can I use "did not retain" in a sentence?

You can use "did not retain" to indicate a loss or lack of preservation, such as: "The experiment showed that the material "did not retain" its original form" or "The company "did not retain" the client after the merger".

What are some alternatives to "did not retain"?

Alternatives to "did not retain" include phrases like "failed to keep", "did not preserve", or "lost possession of", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "did not retain" or "lost"?

The choice between "did not retain" and "lost" depends on the context. "Did not retain" implies a failure to keep something, while "lost" suggests that something was misplaced or taken away. Choose the phrase that more accurately reflects the situation.

What is the difference between "did not retain" and "did not maintain"?

"Did not retain" suggests a failure to hold onto something, while "did not maintain" indicates a failure to keep something in good condition or working order. For example, "The data "did not retain" its accuracy" versus "The equipment "did not maintain" its efficiency".