had retained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had retained" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone or something has kept possession of something over a period of time, often in a past context. Example: "Despite the challenges, she had retained her optimism throughout the difficult times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The CLP had retained just two.

The Guardian

Gardiner wouldn't say who had retained him to represent Thompson.

The Washington Post

It had retained — or generated — its own dismal nodality.

The New Yorker

It was not known if she had retained a lawyer.

The New York Times

And within days she had retained a lawyer, he said.

The New York Times

Mr. Edmonds said he had retained a lawyer.

The New York Times

But they were flabbergasted to discover that one school had retained 100% of its pupils through sixth grade and that ten had retained nearly 90%.

Harvard Business Review

After the USFL folded in 1986, Kelly joined the Bills, who had retained his NFL rights.

Britannica

Barneys said on Thursday it had retained a civil rights expert to help review its procedures.

The Guardian

On Sunday, Melendez announced that he had retained Avenatti to represent him on the matter.

The Washington Post

It wasn't immediately clear if he had retained a defense attorney.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had retained" to clearly indicate that something was kept or maintained from a past point in time until a later point, emphasizing the duration of possession or preservation.

Common error

Avoid using "had retained" when the context requires a simple past tense ("retained") or a present perfect tense ("has retained"). Ensure the past perfect tense is appropriate to show a sequence of events in the past.

Linguistic Context

Had retained functions primarily as a verb phrase, specifically the past perfect tense of the verb "retain". It indicates an action of keeping or maintaining something that was completed before another point in the past. Ludwig provides multiple examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "had retained" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's primarily used to indicate the past perfect tense of "retain", showing that something was kept or maintained until a specific point in the past. Common contexts include News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business writing, and it maintains a neutral register. When writing, remember to use the correct tense and consider simpler alternatives like "had kept" or "had maintained" if appropriate. As this guide demonstrates, understanding the nuances of "had retained" can improve the precision and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had kept

Focuses on the simple act of keeping something in possession.

had maintained

Emphasizes the effort involved in preserving something.

had preserved

Highlights the act of protecting something from decay or damage.

had held onto

Suggests a tighter grip or a more deliberate act of keeping.

had conserved

Implies careful management and avoidance of waste.

had possessed

Focuses on ownership or control.

had secured

Emphasizes the act of obtaining and keeping something safe.

had hung onto

Similar to "had held onto", implying a strong desire to keep.

had not relinquished

Focuses on the refusal to give up something.

had not surrendered

Implies a struggle or resistance in keeping something.

FAQs

How do I use "had retained" in a sentence?

Use "had retained" to indicate that someone or something kept possession of something up until a specific point in the past. For example: "The company "had retained" its market share despite increased competition."

What's a simpler way to say "had retained"?

Alternatives to "had retained" include "had kept", "had maintained", or "had held onto", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "had retained" and "retained"?

"Retained" indicates a simple past action, while "had retained" (past perfect) establishes that the retaining occurred before another action in the past. For example: "She retained the information" vs. "She "had retained" the information until she needed it for the test."

When is it incorrect to use "had retained"?

It would be incorrect to use "had retained" if you are referring to a present state or a future action. Use "retains" or "will retain" in those cases. Also avoid using "had retained" if the time frame is not relevant or if the action is the primary focus of the sentence.