please retain on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "please retain on" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely intended to convey a request to keep something, but the phrasing is awkward and unclear. Example: "Please retain on file the documents I submitted last week."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Please retain on file".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Please remain on shore.

The New Yorker

Their efforts made Mitre the losing pitcher, though he was pleased to retain Girardi's support.

The New York Times - Sports

"We are pleased to retain a sizeable stake in SeeSaw and optimistic for its future".

The Guardian

Please carry on with your exercise regime'.

BMC Cancer

Please, just hold on.

The Guardian - Tech

Sprite fittings were retained on production aircraft.

Wikipedia

Please credit UNICEF on-screen.

Unicef

If you were a Spool user, please read the instructions on retaining your bookmarks.

TechCrunch

Please read on.

The New York Times

"Please, go on".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to keep a document, use the phrase "please keep on file" or "please retain for your records" for clarity. Avoid using "please retain on" as it's not standard English.

Common error

Avoid using the preposition "on" after "retain" in this context. It's more grammatically sound to say "retain this" or "keep this on file".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please retain on" functions as an instruction or request. However, as noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically incorrect. The intended function is to ask someone to keep something, but the incorrect phrasing obscures this purpose.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "please retain on" is grammatically incorrect and its use is not recommended. Ludwig AI confirms that it is not correct in standard written English. While its intended meaning is generally understood as a request to keep something, clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "please keep on file", "please retain this", or "please save this" should be used instead. Although the phrase appears across various source types, including news, science, and formal business contexts, adhering to correct grammar is essential for professional and academic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

please keep on file

Replaces "retain" with "keep" and clarifies the location as "on file", making the request more direct and understandable.

please keep this document

Specifies the object to be retained, enhancing clarity.

please save this

Uses a simpler verb, "save", to convey the meaning of retaining something.

please hold onto this

Emphasizes the act of holding or keeping something secure.

please preserve this

Suggests a more formal and long-term retention.

kindly retain

Omits "on" and adds "kindly" to soften the request.

please maintain

Shifts the focus to maintaining the current state or condition of something.

please store

Replaces "retain" with the more common "store", focusing on the act of putting something away for later use.

please archive

Implies storing something in an archive for long-term preservation.

please remember

Shifts the focus from physically keeping something to mentally retaining information.

FAQs

What does "please retain on" mean?

The phrase "please retain on" is not standard English. It likely means "please keep" or "please keep on file", but the phrasing is awkward.

How to use "please retain" in a sentence?

A better way to phrase it would be "Please retain this document" or "Please "keep on file"".

Is "please retain on" grammatically correct?

No, "please retain on" is not grammatically correct. Use "please retain" or "please keep on file" instead.

What can I say instead of "please retain on"?

You can use alternatives like "please keep", "please hold onto", or "please keep on file".