he retained that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he retained that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone keeping or holding onto a particular quality, memory, or piece of information. Example: "Despite the challenges he faced, he retained that sense of optimism that had always defined him."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

He retained that position until his death.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He retained that title for many years.

The New York Times - Arts

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

The New York Times - Arts

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

Encyclopedia Britannica

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Would he retain that level of security?

The New York Times

The miracle of Fleisher's account is that, while he performs with astonishing dexterity, he retains that atmosphere of exploration, as if no one were listening.

The New Yorker

Until the Jets decide whether to remove Holmes from the physically-unable-to-perform list — if he retains that designation into the season, he must miss the first six games — he will follow a strict rehabilitation schedule.

The New York Times - Sports

If he has retained that passion, our governor-elect has the opportunity to make the eradication of this disgrace one of his top priorities.

The New York Times

And there's precedent for leaving the cuts in place for budgetary reasons: The plans Ryan conceived when he chaired the House Budget Committee always retained that lower spending.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he retained that" to clearly indicate that someone kept a position, title, quality, or belief over a period. It adds a sense of continuity and persistence to your writing.

Common error

Avoid substituting "he retained that" with phrases that imply a change or modification. "He adapted that" or "he altered that" suggest transformation, while "he retained that" emphasizes continuity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he retained that" primarily functions as a declarative statement, indicating that a subject maintained possession, control, or a characteristic. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate this usage across diverse domains.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

29%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he retained that" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that a subject maintained something—be it a position, quality, or belief—over a period. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in news, encyclopedic, and academic sources, "he retained that" offers a clear and direct way to convey continuity and persistence. When writing, use "he retained that" to emphasize the unbroken nature of a characteristic or state. Consider alternative phrasing, such as "he kept that" or "he held onto that", based on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he kept that

Simple synonym, focusing on maintaining possession or a quality.

he held onto that

Emphasizes maintaining a grip or connection to something.

he maintained that

Focuses on consistently upholding a belief or statement.

he preserved that

Highlights the act of protecting something from decay or change.

he upheld that

Implies supporting or defending a principle or decision.

he sustained that

Focuses on providing support or keeping something going.

he conserved that

Emphasizes careful use and preservation of resources or qualities.

he continued to have that

More explicit, indicating an ongoing state of possession or experience.

he carried on with that

Indicates persistence in a task or behavior.

he didn't lose that

Highlights the absence of loss, implying continued possession.

FAQs

How can I use "he retained that" in a sentence?

Use "he retained that" to show that someone kept a position, title, quality, or belief. For example, "He became mayor in 1945, and "he retained that position" until 2001."

What are some alternatives to "he retained that"?

Some alternatives to "he retained that" include "he kept that", "he held onto that", or "he maintained that". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "he retained that" and "he regained that"?

"He retained that" means he kept something continuously. "He regained that" implies he lost something and then got it back. Choose based on whether there was an interruption.

When is it appropriate to use "he retained that" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when you want to emphasize the continuity of a position, title, quality, or belief. Using the phrase suggests steadfastness and persistence.