retain

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "retain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a person or thing that keeps or holds onto something, whether it be a quality, right, memory, or possession. For example, "The company was able to retain its high quality reputation despite the negative press."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The bureau will be hosted on the Guardian site but will retain its independence under Niknejad, who founded it as a blog in November 2008.

The Guardian

"We do retain some traditional parts of high school; kids still need to earn credit and study certain topics but we go about studying them a little differently," she explains.

The Guardian

Last year Clegg told Cameron that the police and MI5, which want to retain UK involvement in most of the justice measures, should be given a veto.

The Guardian

London's mayor, Boris Johnson, united with London Councils and the Core Cities group – made up of the eight largest cities in the UK – in calls for local politicians to have more power to raise and retain taxes.

The Guardian

Aleksandr Kokorin Only 23 and a relative newcomer to the international stage, the Dynamo Moscow player has emerged as first-choice striker under Fabio Capello and is expected to retain that position in Brazil at the expense of the experienced Aleksandr Kerzhakov.

The Guardian - Sport

It salvaged Schlesinger's box office reputation - and he was able to retain his large house in Los Angeles, a family home in the country and his immaculately decorated house off Kensington High Street.

The Guardian

But one thing is certain: if mainstream parties want to retain support in Wales, they will need to start talking about it.

The Guardian - Opinion

The IBF welterweight champion stopped Frankie Gavin inside six rounds to retain his title and further the view he is a man who is well and truly for the big time, or to be specific, a clash with Floyd Mayweather Jr.

The Guardian - Sport

Investors will vote on the pay policies at next month's annual meeting and debate is already raging about whether to back the rewards, which Jenkins has argued are needed to retain top investment bankers.

The Guardian - Business

The Snowden revelations halfway through the last parliament led to profound discussions about surveillance, privacy and the extent of any necessity to inspect or retain personal data.

The Guardian - Tech

Rice noodles are popular in the cuisine of eastern and south-eastern Asia and are generally only lightly cooked to retain a slightly chewy texture.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "retain" when you want to emphasize the act of keeping something that is already in your possession or control. For instance, a company might "retain" its customers through excellent service.

Common error

Avoid using "retain" when you mean to hold someone against their will. "Detain" is the correct term for this, whereas "retain" implies keeping something willingly.

Linguistic Context

The verb "retain" primarily functions as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. It signifies the action of keeping or continuing to have something. Ludwig examples show it used to indicate preserving qualities, positions, or possessions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "retain" is a versatile term used to describe the act of keeping or maintaining possession of something, whether tangible or intangible. Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable in written English. As evidenced by the numerous examples, it's very common in contexts like News & Media, Business and Scientific writing. When using "retain", ensure you're emphasizing the act of keeping something already held, and avoid confusing it with similar words like "detain". By considering the best practices and common errors, you can confidently and correctly incorporate "retain" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep possession of

Emphasizes the act of holding onto something physically or legally.

hold onto

Implies a strong grip or effort to prevent something from being lost or taken away.

maintain

Focuses on preserving the condition or status of something over time.

preserve

Highlights protecting something from harm or decay to keep it in its original state.

hold back

Suggests restraining or preventing something from being released or revealed.

keep

A general term for having or continuing to have something.

conserve

Implies careful use and protection of resources to avoid waste.

store

Emphasizes keeping something for future use.

secure

Focuses on ensuring something is safe and protected from threats.

withhold

Indicates deliberately not giving something.

FAQs

How to use "retain" in a sentence?

You can use "retain" to describe keeping something, such as "The company was able to "retain" its high quality reputation despite the negative press".

What can I say instead of "retain"?

You can use alternatives like "keep possession of", "hold onto", or "maintain" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "retain" or "detain"?

"Retain" means to keep possession of something, while "detain" means to hold someone in custody. Use ""retain"" for possessions and qualities, and "detain" for people being held.

What's the difference between "retain" and "maintain"?

"Retain" emphasizes keeping something you already have, while "maintain" focuses on preserving something's condition. You ""retain"" customers, but "maintain" equipment.