opt to retain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "opt to retain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a choice or decision to keep or maintain something, often in a formal or business context. Example: "After careful consideration, the committee decided to opt to retain the current policy rather than implement changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

It added that existing tenants who wish to renew their contracts are facing smaller rises in the region of 4%, as landlords concerned about the general economic outlook opt to retain quality tenants rather than risk void periods.

The Guardian - Money

Since Davis needs a majority to stay in office, forty-nine per cent of the electorate could opt to retain him, and yet he could still be replaced by a candidate who got less than ten per cent of the vote.

The New Yorker

Windows Phone apps that opt to retain the Metro/Windows Phone UI look and feel are often a bizarre experience for the user.

TechCrunch

This means that even when fuel prices are extremely high and bunker accounts for more than 60% of the shipowners total cost (UNCTAD, 2008), the shipowners might opt to retain high speeds as long as the underlying demand for the service is strong (Fransoo & Lee, 2013; Wang et al., 2011).

Journal of Shipping and Trade

That raises the possibility the state court, on review, might decide that the relatives' recommendations made no difference in the jury's decision, and opt to retain the death sentence for Bosse.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

However, MacLeod opted to retain his old faithfuls for the opening match.

The Guardian - Sport

Principals who opted to retain their unionized head custodians would have to use their school budgets to make up the difference if the private companies would charge less.

The New York Times

What I find odd about their cases is that both have opted to retain their amateur status, despite having proved that they have skills worth paying for.

The Guardian - Sport

Both Fleabag and Chewing Gum Dreams were monologues, so they required significant re-engineering to become six half-hours of TV, although Waller-Bridge and Coel both opted to retain a significant level of direct address.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Even though several Indian stars, including the living legend Sachin Tendulkar, were kept out of the auction when their franchises for the first three seasons opted to retain them, native players still commanded the most eye-catching sums.

The New York Times - Sports

Sir James Crosby, the ITV senior independent non-executive director, explained why the board had opted to retain Grade's services for an extra year: "It was the unanimous view of ITV's independent non-executive directors that it would be in the best interests of the company and its shareholders to ask Michael to extend his time as executive chairman.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "opt to retain", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being chosen and what is being kept. This provides clarity and strengthens the overall message.

Common error

Avoid using "opt to retain" in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler alternatives like "choose to keep" or "decide to maintain" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "opt to retain" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used as part of a verb phrase. It indicates a deliberate choice or decision to keep something in its current state, as highlighted in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "opt to retain" is a useful expression for conveying a deliberate choice to maintain or keep something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. While relatively rare, it's most commonly found in news and media, as well as science contexts. To ensure clarity, it's important to indicate what is being chosen and what is being kept. While "opt to retain" carries a professional tone, simpler alternatives like "choose to keep" may be more appropriate for informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

choose to keep

Implies a selection from multiple options to maintain possession.

decide to maintain

Focuses on the decision-making aspect of continuing something.

elect to preserve

Suggests a formal selection with an emphasis on protecting something from harm.

prefer to keep

Indicates a preference for maintaining something over other options.

select to hold

Highlights the action of choosing to keep something in one's possession.

favor retaining

Expresses a positive inclination towards keeping something.

wish to conserve

Implies a desire to protect and carefully manage something.

determine to uphold

Focuses on the resolve to maintain a principle or standard.

plan to safeguard

Indicates a strategic approach to protect something valuable.

purpose to sustain

Highlights an intention to keep something going or in existence.

FAQs

How can I use "opt to retain" in a sentence?

You can use "opt to retain" to indicate a decision to keep something, such as "The company may "decide to maintain" its current policy or "choose to keep" the existing system".

What are some alternatives to "opt to retain"?

Alternatives include "choose to keep", "decide to maintain", or "elect to preserve", depending on the level of formality and specific context.

Is it better to say "opt to retain" or "choose to keep"?

"Opt to retain" is more formal and often used in business or legal contexts. "Choose to keep" is a simpler alternative suitable for everyday conversation.

What's the difference between "opt to retain" and "decide to maintain"?

"Opt to retain" emphasizes the choice being made, while "decide to maintain" highlights the action of continuing something. The subtle difference depends on the context and what you want to emphasize.