retain identity

USAGE SUMMARY

"retain identity" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to maintain or keep one's distinct characteristics or sense of self. Example: Despite living in a foreign country for many years, she was able to retain her identity and cultural practices.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

If faculty turnover is increased, how does a department retain identity and cohesion, and not risk elevating the number and influence of administrators?

Huffington Post

It can be defined as the perceived loss of autonomy in the face of uncontrollable traumatic events, resulting in the person giving up efforts to retain identity and self-will.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Mental defeat (MD) has been defined as the perceived loss of autonomy in the face of uncontrollable traumatic events, resulting in the person giving up efforts to retain identity and self-will [ 1, 2].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

As in high-income countries, justifications for poor care and ways of working with colleagues are influenced by the norms and values of professional contexts and efforts to claim (or retain) identities or status [ 14, 30].

Globalization and Health

Phylogenetic analyses and domain architecture revealed that Spodoptera frugiperda homologs retained identity with Lepidoptera (Bombyx mori) or Coleoptera (Tribolium castaneum) sustaining an evolutionary conserved scaffold in post-transcriptional gene silencing paradigm within insects.

BMC Genomics

Eyespots that appeared in novel wing sectors modified the positional information of their serial homolog ancestors in one of two ways: by changing the wing or surface identity while retaining sector identity, or by changing the sector identity while retaining wing and surface identity.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

How do I retain my identity without demonstrating every step?

The Guardian

The atoms retain their identity through a chemical reaction.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The club would prefer to retain its identity by being incorporated within the development.

The New York Times

"It's always going to retain its identity as a little local mountain.

The New York Times - Travel

How to retain its identity, not just within the EU but in a world of globalisation?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing cultural integration or assimilation, use "retain identity" to emphasize the importance of maintaining one's original cultural heritage and values. This promotes respect for diversity and intercultural understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "retain identity" when the context primarily involves merging or blending multiple identities. Instead, consider phrases like "integrate elements" or "synthesize perspectives" to better reflect the intended meaning of combining different aspects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retain identity" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "retain" is the transitive verb and "identity" is its direct object. This construction indicates the act of maintaining or preserving one's unique characteristics or sense of self. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

36%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "retain identity" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that emphasizes the act of maintaining or preserving unique characteristics, whether of an individual, group, or organization. According to Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, indicating its versatility and relevance. While it can be used in informal settings, it is more frequently found in neutral to formal writing. Alternatives like "maintain individuality" and "preserve character" offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts. A key takeaway is to use "retain identity" when discussing the importance of keeping a distinct sense of self, while avoiding it in contexts where merging or blending is the primary focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain individuality

Focuses on preserving individual uniqueness rather than a broader group or entity.

preserve character

Emphasizes the conservation of distinctive qualities or attributes.

uphold distinctiveness

Highlights the act of supporting and maintaining a unique nature.

keep uniqueness

A more straightforward way of expressing the act of not losing what makes something different.

hold on to identity

Suggests a struggle or effort to maintain identity against external pressures.

safeguard persona

Implies protecting one's public image or the character they present to the world.

secure recognition

Focuses on ensuring continuous acknowledgement and acceptance of one's identity.

conserve cultural heritage

More specific to cultural identity, focusing on tradition and inherited values.

defend principles

Shift towards protecting core values or beliefs that define identity.

stand by heritage

Focuses on publicly supporting and identifying with one's origins and traditions.

FAQs

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

You can use "retain identity" when discussing the importance of maintaining one's distinct characteristics, such as in the sentence: "Despite the pressures of globalization, many communities strive to "retain identity" and cultural traditions."

What are some alternatives to "retain identity"?

Alternatives to "retain identity" include phrases like "maintain individuality", "preserve character", or "uphold distinctiveness", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "retain identity" or "maintain identity"?

Both "retain identity" and "maintain identity" are correct and usable. They are largely interchangeable, with "retain" suggesting holding onto something already possessed, while "maintain" suggests keeping something at a certain level or standard.

What's the difference between "retain identity" and "preserve heritage"?

"Retain identity" refers to maintaining one's distinct characteristics or sense of self, while "preserve heritage" specifically focuses on protecting and conserving cultural traditions, historical sites, and other elements passed down from previous generations. Heritage is an aspect of identity, but identity includes a broader sense of self.