has retained

USAGE SUMMARY

"has retained" is a correct and common phrase in written English.
It is typically used when talking about something that has been kept or maintained over time. Example: The company has retained its position as the market leader for over 10 years.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. Stender has retained counsel.

The New York Times

Her family has retained a lawyer.

The New York Times

But he has retained a high profile.

The Economist

But North Amsterdam has retained its grittiness.

The New York Times - Travel

Dr. Stewart has retained his veterinary license.

The New York Times

But he has retained his human dignity.

The Economist

Yet Corbyn has retained his principles.

Independent

Circa has retained the sophisticated steakhouse look.

The New York Times

Aegon has retained 7.9% of SVG.

The Guardian - Business

His son has retained that spirit.

The New York Times

The Senate has retained separate legal advisers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has retained" when you want to emphasize the act of keeping or maintaining something over a period. It implies a conscious effort to not lose something, whether it's a physical object, a quality, or a position.

Common error

Avoid using "has retained" when you actually mean "has obtained". Retaining implies keeping something already possessed, while obtaining means acquiring something new.

Linguistic Context

Has retained functions as a verb phrase in the present perfect tense, indicating that an action of keeping or maintaining something began in the past and continues to the present or has a present relevance. Ludwig shows examples across different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has retained" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used in the present perfect tense. According to Ludwig AI, it is typically used to indicate that something has been kept or maintained over a period, with a neutral tone suitable for various contexts like news, science, and general writing. While alternatives like "has kept" or "has maintained" exist, understanding the nuances of each helps in precise communication. Remember to differentiate retaining (keeping what you have) from obtaining (acquiring something new).

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has kept

Simple synonym with emphasis on the act of maintaining possession.

has maintained

Focuses on continuous effort to keep something in a certain state.

has preserved

Implies protecting something from decay or damage.

has upheld

Suggests supporting or defending something, like a principle or law.

has held onto

Emphasizes resisting the loss of something.

has conserved

Highlights careful use and preservation of resources.

has sustained

Focuses on providing continued support or existence.

has not lost

Highlights the absence of loss.

has continued to possess

Formal way of saying has retained.

has secured

Focuses on gaining and keeping secure possession.

FAQs

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

Use "has retained" to indicate that someone or something has kept possession of something. For example, "The company "has retained" its market share despite increased competition."

What can I say instead of "has retained"?

You can use alternatives like "has kept", "has maintained", or "has preserved" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "has retained" or "had retained"?

"Has retained" is used for present perfect tense, indicating an action that started in the past and continues to the present or has relevance to the present. "Had retained" is past perfect, used for an action completed before another point in the past.

What's the difference between "has retained" and "has acquired"?

"Has retained" means to continue to have something, implying it was already possessed. "Has acquired" means to gain possession of something new. The first implies keeping; the second, obtaining.