retain control

USAGE SUMMARY

"retain control" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in the context of keeping a level of control over something, or to suggest that someone should maintain their current level of control over a situation. For example, "We must retain control of the situation if we want to be successful."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He resolved to retain control of Facebook.

The New York Times - Tech

__Chavez built slowly to retain control.

The New Yorker

The Democrats retain control of the State Assembly.

The New York Times

The estate will retain control over copyrights, she said.

The New York Times - Arts

But we've no idea how to retain control.

The Guardian - Sport

In such buildings, the sponsor can retain control indefinitely.

The New York Times

Others want to retain control of patients' treatment themselves.

The New York Times - Health

Mayors typically retain control over their personal papers.

The New York Times

Playmobil is also anxious to retain control over quality.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Democrats will lose two seats in the Senate, but retain control.

Huffington Post

This is not to underestimate the desire of the security services to retain control orders.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing organizational strategy or political maneuvers, use "retain control" to emphasize maintaining a level of command that may be under threat or requires active effort.

Common error

Avoid using "retain control" interchangeably with similar phrases like "maintain" or "keep". "Retain" specifically suggests holding onto something that is already possessed, implying a potential risk of losing it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retain control" functions as a verb phrase, where "retain" is a transitive verb requiring an object ("control"). According to Ludwig AI, it adheres to standard grammatical rules and serves to indicate the act of maintaining command or authority over something. Examples in Ludwig demonstrate its use across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "retain control" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase that means to keep command or authority over something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The analysis indicates it appears most frequently in News & Media, followed by Formal & Business and Science contexts. To ensure precision, remember that "retain" suggests maintaining something already possessed, differentiating it from similar terms like "gain". Alternatives include phrases such as "maintain authority" or "hold onto power", providing nuanced options for your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold onto power

Directly implies maintaining political or organizational influence.

maintain authority

Focuses on upholding authority rather than simply possession or influence.

uphold authority

This suggests a more active and assertive defense of one's control.

keep command

Emphasizes the act of holding onto a position of authority, particularly in hierarchical settings.

exercise governance

Focuses on the practical application of control through governing actions.

secure influence

Implies ensuring that one's influence remains strong and unthreatened.

preserve dominance

Highlights the act of keeping a dominant or leading position.

assert jurisdiction

Stresses the legal right and ability to govern or control.

defend sovereignty

Specific to protecting a nation or entity's self-governance.

keep a grip on

Informal alternative, suggesting tight and sometimes forceful maintenance of control.

FAQs

How can I use "retain control" in a sentence?

You can use "retain control" to describe keeping command or authority over something. For example, "The company aimed to "retain control" of its market share through innovation".

What are some alternatives to "retain control"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "maintain authority", "hold onto power", or "preserve dominance" as alternatives to "retain control".

Is it grammatically correct to say "retained control"?

Yes, "retained control" is grammatically correct. It is the past tense form of "retain control", indicating that control was kept at some point in the past.

What is the difference between "retain control" and "gain control"?

"Retain control" means to keep the control you already have, while "gain control" means to acquire control that you didn't previously possess. They are opposite in meaning; one implies preservation, the other acquisition.