has been retained

USAGE SUMMARY

"has been retained" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe an action that has been continued or kept in effect, often in the context of a law or policy. For example, "The law that was passed five years ago has been retained."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The basic industry has been retained.

Yale University

In these cases, the final name has been retained.

Columbia University

Original Huntington Free Library box number has been retained.

Cornell University

A specialist firm of bailiffs has been retained.

The Guardian

A standalone goal on gender equality has been retained (SDG5).

The Guardian

Much of Starr Boggs' staff has been retained.

The New York Times

This essence has been retained in the play.

The Guardian - Books

Mr. Sakamoto, again, has been retained as chief playlister.

The New York Times - Food

The original grid pattern of the streets has been retained.

Britannica

The $448m promised to Papua New Guinea has been retained.

The Guardian

No firm has been retained to lead the search yet.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a formal decision or policy that remains valid, using "has been retained" adds a sense of authority and permanence.

Common error

Avoid using "has been retained" when you simply mean something exists or is present. "Retained" implies a conscious decision to keep something, not just its mere existence.

Linguistic Context

"Has been retained" serves as a passive voice construction, indicating that something has been kept or maintained. According to Ludwig, it is used in contexts where a deliberate decision or action to keep something in its original state is emphasized. The phrase demonstrates a state of preservation or continuation resulting from a past action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Science

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has been retained" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies something has been deliberately kept or maintained. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is appropriate for conveying a sense of continuity or preservation, particularly in academic, scientific, and news contexts. When writing, be mindful of its specific nuance, ensuring it accurately reflects a conscious decision to keep something unchanged rather than simply indicating its existence. Remember that strong alternatives, such as "has been preserved" and "remains in effect", offer subtle variations in meaning that can enhance the precision of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has been maintained

Emphasizes ongoing effort to keep something in its current state.

has been preserved

Focuses on protecting something from decay or damage over time.

has been sustained

Indicates the ability of something to continue or endure over a period.

has been upheld

Implies support or confirmation of something, often in a legal or ethical sense.

has been conserved

Highlights the careful use and protection of resources.

remains in effect

A more formal way of saying something is still active or operational.

has been kept

A simpler, more general way of saying something has been held onto.

has been continued

Highlights the uninterrupted nature of something.

has been prolonged

Suggests an extension of something beyond its expected duration.

has been carried on

Implies the continuation of an activity or process.

FAQs

How do I use "has been retained" in a sentence?

Use "has been retained" to indicate that something has been kept or maintained in its original condition or state. For example, "The original design "has been retained" despite the updates".

What are some alternatives to "has been retained"?

You can use alternatives like "has been maintained", "has been preserved", or "remains in effect" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "has been retain" instead of "has been retained"?

No, "has been retain" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""has been retained"", which uses the past participle of the verb "retain".

What's the difference between "has been retained" and "has been preserved"?

"Has been retained" suggests a deliberate decision to keep something, while "has been preserved" implies protecting something from damage or decay. The choice depends on whether the emphasis is on the act of keeping or the act of protecting.