i was retained

USAGE SUMMARY

The sentence 'I was retained' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use this sentence when referring to being kept on or hired for a longer period of time. For example, "I was retained by the company for an additional three months."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

One of my scariest assignments came when I was retained by a group in Ukraine to investigate whether President Leonid Kuchma had ordered the assassination of a journalist.

The New York Times

I was retained on behalf of Delwar Hossain Sayedee, Jamaat's leading cleric, who goes on trial for his life on Sunday.

The New York Times

In 2011 I was retained by the campus and the Department of Recreational Sports to study People's Park, among other locations, for an additional Department of Recreational Sports building.

University of California, Berkeley

In 2013, I was retained by the Physical and Environmental Planning Department and Intercollegiate Athletics to prepare an athletics facilities master plan in order to bring a more thoughtful and disciplined approach to facility development.

University of California, Berkeley

Last weekend, as part of a legal team put together by a solicitor, I was retained with two other barristers to consult with and advise the young leader of Hong Kong's Scholarism movement, Joshua Wong.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was retained by Shirley Shawe to argue that this forced sale is an unconstitutional "taking" of private property for a non-public purpose.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Not a problem: I was retaining everything.

The Guardian - Books

I later learned that I was retaining fluid, which impairs the function of the lungs, causing them to stiffen and compromising the transfer of oxygen into the blood.

The New York Times - Health

Probability of a node i being retained is denoted by Pretain[i] = Pro[i is retained].

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Assume m i  > m j, node i is retained, if m j is the only mark lower than m i in C i and j is not retained.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Probability of a node i with the second lowest mark in C i being retained is denoted by P2_retain[i].

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was retained" when you want to emphasize a formal or professional engagement, especially in legal, consulting, or academic contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "retained" when simpler terms like "hired" or "employed" are more appropriate. "Retained" carries a connotation of ongoing or specialized service, so ensure it fits the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was retained" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that the speaker was hired or kept on for a specific purpose or service. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. The phrase emphasizes a formal agreement or continued engagement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Academia

29%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was retained" is a grammatically sound and professionally appropriate way to express that you were hired or kept on for a specific task or service. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and common usage across various contexts. While it's most frequently encountered in news and media, academic, and science, it conveys a sense of formal engagement that might not be present in simpler terms like "hired" or "employed". Remember to use "retained" when you want to emphasize an ongoing or specialized relationship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was hired

Directly indicates being employed or engaged for a task.

I was engaged

Suggests being formally involved or employed for a specific project.

I was appointed

Implies being officially chosen for a role or position.

I was kept on

Highlights being maintained in a position or role after a trial or initial period.

I was commissioned

Suggests being formally requested to undertake a task, often creative or specialized.

My services were secured

Emphasizes the act of ensuring availability of one's services, often for a specific duration.

I was contracted

Highlights a formal agreement for services, often for a specified period or project.

I was chosen

Indicates selection from a group of candidates for a particular task or role.

I was selected

Similar to "I was chosen", emphasizing a decision-making process.

I was designated

Indicates being assigned to a specific role or responsibility.

FAQs

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

You can use "I was retained" to indicate you were hired or kept on for a specific task or period, such as "I was retained by the company as a consultant" or "I was retained for an additional year".

What's the difference between "I was retained" and "I was hired"?

"I was hired" generally refers to the initial act of being employed. "I was retained" often implies being kept on or rehired after an initial period or project, suggesting an ongoing relationship or continued need for your services. You can use alternatives like "I was engaged" or "I was contracted".

What can I say instead of "I was retained"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "I was hired", "I was contracted", "I was selected", or "I was appointed".

Is it more formal to say "I was retained" instead of "I was hired"?

Yes, "I was retained" generally carries a more formal and professional tone than "I was hired". It's often used in legal, consulting, and academic contexts to emphasize a formal engagement or ongoing service. Consider using "I was appointed" if the context is about nominating someone to an official function.