it was retained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was retained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been kept or preserved, often in a formal or academic context. Example: "The data was analyzed, and it was retained for future reference in the study."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Once a covariate was significant (p-value ≤0.05) within its tier, it was retained in the final model.

Plosone

In most of them it was retained after independence.

Stanford University

For inactive EGFR, it was retained in inactive state by Au10Peptide5 binding to inhibit dimerization of EGFR for anticancer.

Science Bulletin

Dura Europus on the Euphrates was a fort protecting the lines of trade; it was retained by the Romans.

Britannica

The six-month delay in the tax comes just two weeks after it was retained in the 2016 budget.

The Guardian

No one seems to have an explanation of why it was retained at all, if no sale had been agreed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Results showed that GO was predominantly deposited in the lungs, where it was retained for a long time.

Carbon

In undoped samples, the crystallite sizes increased after the annealing treatments, while it was retained in the Al-doped samples.

Acta Materialia

It was retained as the anthem of Nazi Germany, along with the party anthem, the Horst Wessel Song.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It disappeared from land warfare with the introduction of the bayonet, though it was retained in shortened form as a naval boarding weapon through the 19th century.

Britannica

The former England midfield player, 38 in December, gave his side the lead and did more than anyone to ensure it was retained.

The Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, consider specifying the reason for retention: "it was retained due to its historical significance" or "it was retained to maintain compatibility."

Common error

While "it was retained" is grammatically sound, overusing passive voice can make writing seem vague or indirect. Where appropriate, rephrase to use active voice for a more direct and engaging style: "they retained it" or "the committee retained the proposal."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was retained" functions as a passive construction, indicating that something (represented by "it") was the recipient of the action of retaining. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It's commonly employed to describe the preservation or maintenance of a specific item, rule, or characteristic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was retained" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction to indicate that something was kept or preserved. Ludwig AI supports its use. It finds frequent use across scientific, news media, and encyclopedic contexts. When using it, ensure the subject is clear and consider varying sentence structure to avoid overuse of passive voice. Alternatives include "it was kept", "it was preserved", and "it was maintained".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was kept

Simple substitution of "retained" with the more common verb "kept".

it was preserved

Emphasizes maintaining the original condition or state.

it was maintained

Focuses on the ongoing effort to keep something in good condition.

it was upheld

Suggests support for a decision or principle, allowing it to continue.

it was conserved

Implies careful management to prevent loss or depletion.

it was sustained

Highlights the ability to continue or prolong something.

it was held

Suggests possession or control over something was maintained.

it was continued

Focuses on the uninterrupted progression of something.

it was upheld

Emphasizes adherence to a standard, law, or decision.

it was saved

Highlights the act of rescuing something from potential loss or harm.

FAQs

What does "it was retained" mean?

The phrase "it was retained" means that something was kept or preserved. It implies that a decision was made to not discard or change something, but to keep it in its current state.

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

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

Is "it was retained" formal or informal?

"It was retained" is generally considered a neutral to formal phrase. It's suitable for academic writing, news reports, and professional communication. Simpler alternatives like "it was kept" might be more appropriate for informal contexts.

How to use "it was retained" in a sentence?

Use "it was retained" when you want to emphasize that something was deliberately kept. For example, "Despite the new management's efforts to modernize the company, the original logo, as a symbol of tradition, "it was retained"."