he retained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he retained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone keeping possession of something, such as knowledge, skills, or physical items. Example: "Despite the challenges he faced, he retained his composure throughout the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But he retained his fervor.

The New York Times

Still, he retained a certain skepticism.

The New Yorker

But he retained his influence from afar.

The Economist

He retained that position until his death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Also he retained the title of emperor.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He retained this position throughout his lifetime.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He retained championships won before 1997.

The New York Times - Sports

He retained the position until 1977.

The New York Times - Arts

He retained that title for many years.

The New York Times - Arts

He retained the loyalty of the army.

The New York Times

He retained Samantha Tsi in third grade.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he retained" when you want to emphasize that someone kept something despite circumstances that might have caused them to lose it, such as a position, title, or characteristic.

Common error

Avoid using "he retained" when you mean "he obtained". "Retained" means to keep something already possessed, while "obtained" means to gain something new.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he retained" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where 'retained' is the main verb in the past tense. It typically describes the action of keeping or continuing to hold something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Encyclopedias

21%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he retained" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that expresses the continuation of possession or control. Ludwig AI verifies its correct usage, and the phrase is common across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and wikis. It's important to use "he retained" when you specifically mean that someone kept something they already had, as opposed to obtaining something new. Alternatives such as "he kept" or "he maintained" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he kept

Focuses on the act of maintaining possession, often in a more general sense.

he maintained

Implies effort to keep something in a certain state or condition.

he preserved

Suggests protecting something from decay or loss.

he held onto

Emphasizes clinging to something, often against opposition.

he continued to have

A more literal and less concise way of expressing the same idea.

he possessed

Highlights ownership or control over something.

he did not relinquish

Focuses on refusing to give something up.

he bore

Implies retaining something intangible like knowledge or experience.

he did not lose

Negatively framed, emphasizing the absence of loss.

he guarded

Highlights protection efforts to retain some intangible or tangible assets.

FAQs

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

"He retained" is used to indicate that someone kept or continued to have something. For example: "He retained his position despite the merger" or "He retained a love for music throughout his life".

What's a good alternative to "he retained"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "he kept", "he maintained", or "he held onto" as alternatives.

Is it correct to say "he retained of" something?

No, the correct usage is "he retained" something, without the preposition "of". For instance, "He retained control" is correct, while "He retained of control" is not.

What is the difference between "he retained" and "he regained"?

"He retained" means he continued to have something, while "he regained" means he got something back that he had previously lost. They are not interchangeable.