retain from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'retain from' is not typically used in written English.
The phrase 'refrain from' is used instead. Example: I refrained from eating the entire pizza.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

The amount councils retain from school budgets varies hugely.

The Guardian

The most vivid image I retain from that time is pulling the bullets out of cows' brains.

The New York Times - Health

If there's one fact that most people retain from elementary biology, it's that mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The adaptation simply becomes a choice of which scenes to retain from the book and which ones to leave out.

The Guardian - Film

What the footballing world would retain from that golden generation was their impotent display at the 2010 World Cup.

The Telegraph

But the chits he will retain from Mr. Simon, a wealthy investor himself, should serve the former mayor well in the capital raising game.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

It probably was retained from Minoan religion.

Britannica

Hence, in A. thaliana, genes retained from the α WGD could harbour disproportionately more dosage-sensitive genes than genes retained from the βγ WGD or tandem duplicated genes.

Nature

Tissue is not retained from autopsies that have restrictions that prohibit utilization for educational purposes.

Yale University

Only the wing Max Evans, the prop Allan Jacobsen, Sean Lamont and Kelly Brown are retained from the opening game.

The Guardian - Sport

Only Van der Sar and Antonio Valencia were retained from the starting line-up in Germany.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "retain from" with more common and grammatically sound alternatives like "preserve from", "derive from", or other contextually appropriate options to enhance clarity and credibility.

Common error

Writers often use "retain from" intending to convey 'to keep something originating from somewhere'. However, the correct phrasing would typically involve using a verb like 'derive', 'extract', or 'preserve' in conjunction with 'from' to clearly indicate origin or source.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retain from" attempts to express the action of keeping something originating from a specific source. However, Ludwig AI identifies this phrase as grammatically questionable. The intended function is to denote both retention and origin, but the construction is not standard English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "retain from" appears across various sources, Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically questionable. Its intended purpose is to convey the idea of keeping something from a specific origin, but standard English offers clearer and more precise alternatives. Grammatically sound options like "derive from" or "preserve from" are recommended, especially in formal or academic writing. Despite its relatively common usage, prioritizing grammatical accuracy enhances clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preserve from

Focuses on maintaining something's original state, shifting the emphasis to conservation rather than simple retention.

keep from

Implies preventing something from being taken away or lost, offering a slightly different nuance than merely retaining.

maintain from

Highlights the act of upholding or continuing something from a specific point or origin.

hold back from

Suggests a deliberate withholding or restraining from a larger quantity or group.

save from

Implies rescuing or protecting something from a potentially harmful situation or force.

derive from

Emphasizes the origin or source from which something is obtained, rather than the act of keeping it.

extract from

Focuses on removing or obtaining something from a larger entity.

garner from

Implies collecting or gathering something, often information or benefits, from a particular source.

obtain from

Highlights the act of acquiring or gaining something from a specific source.

draw from

Suggests taking inspiration, resources, or information from a particular source.

FAQs

What is a grammatically correct alternative to "retain from"?

Instead of "retain from", consider using phrases like "preserve from", "derive from", or "extract from" depending on the intended meaning.

How can I use "derive from" in a sentence?

You can use "derive from" to indicate the origin or source of something. For example: "The word 'algorithm' derives from the name of the Persian mathematician Al-Khwarizmi."

Is "retain from" considered formal or informal language?

While "retain from" appears in various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically questionable. Opt for clearer alternatives like "preserve from" for a more formal and grammatically sound expression.

What does "preserve from" mean, and how does it differ from "retain from"?

"Preserve from" implies protecting something from harm or decay, whereas "retain from" is not a standard or grammatically correct phrase. Therefore, using "preserve from" is preferred when you want to express safeguarding something.