he retain that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he retain that" is not correct in English.
The correct form would be "he retains that." You can use it when discussing someone's ability to keep or hold onto something, typically in a context where possession or memory is involved. Example: "Despite the challenges, he retains that sense of optimism that inspires those around him."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Would he retain that level of security?

The New York Times

Should he retain that title on Saturday, and then go on to match it with 5,000m gold a week later, he will feel his decision to stick with the controversial American has been justified.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He retained that position until his death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He retained that title for many years.

The New York Times - Arts

He retained that position until his retirement in 1995.

Cornell University

François Guizot emerged as the key figure in the ministry; he retained that role from 1840 to 1848.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He retained that place in the labourist-progressivist mutation of Whiggism to which Taylor loosely belonged.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Over the next decade he retained that but added an American look to his work".

The New York Times - Arts

Under Prime Minister Katsura Tarō he retained that position, also serving concurrently as minister of interior and minister of education.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1707 Walther became organist at the Weimar Stadtkirche, and he retained that post until his death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He retained that position when the orchestra reorganized as the Symphony of the Air after Toscanini's retirement in 1954.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always ensure the verb tense agrees with the subject. In this case, "he" requires the third-person singular form, which is "retains."

Common error

Avoid using the base form of the verb "retain" with singular subjects like "he" or "she". Always use "retains" for grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he retain that" functions as a clause within a sentence, but due to incorrect verb conjugation, it does not convey its intended meaning effectively. Ludwig AI highlights the grammatical error and suggests the correct form.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

28%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he retain that" is grammatically incorrect, as flagged by Ludwig. The correct form is "he retains that". While examples of the incorrect phrase exist across various sources, including News & Media and Academia, its usage is rare. To ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy, it's recommended to use the correct form, "he retains that", or consider alternative phrases like "he keeps that" or "he holds onto that". Always verify verb tense agreement to prevent similar errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he retains that

Corrects the grammatical error by using the proper verb conjugation.

he keeps that

Uses a simpler verb to convey the same meaning of maintaining something.

he holds onto that

Emphasizes the act of maintaining possession of something.

he maintains that

Focuses on the continuous aspect of keeping something in a certain state.

he preserves that

Highlights the effort to protect or save something from deterioration.

he secures that

Implies ensuring the continuation or possession of something.

he safeguards that

Emphasizes the protection and defense of something.

he defends that

Focuses on actively protecting something from being taken away.

he upholds that

Suggests maintaining a principle, law, or decision.

he cherishes that

Adds an emotional element, emphasizing the value placed on what is kept.

FAQs

What is the correct form: "he retain that" or "he retains that"?

The correct form is "he retains that". The verb must agree with the subject, so the third-person singular "retains" is necessary.

When should I use "he retains that"?

Use "he retains that" when you want to say that a male person continues to have something, such as a position, title, quality, or memory. For example, "He retains that position despite the recent changes."

What are some alternatives to "he retain that"?

Since "he retain that" is grammatically incorrect, use alternatives like "he retains that", "he keeps that", or "he holds onto that" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is "he retain that" ever correct in English?

No, "he retain that" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct form requires the third-person singular verb form, which is "he retains that".