retain interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retain interest" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the ability to maintain someone's attention or engagement in a particular subject or activity. Example: "To keep the audience engaged, the speaker must find ways to retain interest throughout the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

They also retain interest in Real's winger Angel di María and Palermo's goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano.

The Guardian - Sport

Plenty of good-looking women of fashion get themselves up in outlandish outfits; relatively few retain interest after the initial jolt of surprise has faded away.

The New York Times

Like a good beach read, the wine should be engaging enough to retain interest but not heavy, entertaining at the cost of no more than idle thought, background music with an escapist overture.

The New York Times

Is that why you put these mortgages into a so-called available-for-sale account, so you can retain interest income from the loans and yet not have to draw from net income to increase your loan loss reserve?

Forbes

Gary Marshall, head of the British American Football Association, is confident that a UK-based team would help retain interest in the long run, but also thinks that more investment is needed at a grassroots level.

BBC

Miller often required a contest to retain interest in the game.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Both the initial sample collector and their institution may retain interests in or claims of ownership of samples, and collaborators may specify ownership in material transfer agreements for instance.

BMC Medical Ethics

Be that as it may, the Willis-Fry debate retains interest.

The New York Times - Arts

His romantic and luxuriantly textured music, with soaring vocal writing, retains interest with an underlying tension and hint of astringency.

The New York Times - Arts

In return, Catellus will receive $147.5 million in cash and $22.5 million in retained interest in the new company.

The New York Times

With much of this roughness since paved over, Mr. Lennon's tough-love valentine to the motherland retains interest for its historical perspective, sardonic tone, lively structure and finely etched black-and-white cinematography by the legendary Raoul Coutard.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "retain interest", focus on making content relevant and engaging by using storytelling, visuals, and interactive elements.

Common error

Don't rely solely on a strong start. Continuously refresh content and presentation to prevent audience disengagement. Regularly assess if the methods you are adopting are still effective at keeping the audience's attention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retain interest" functions as a verb phrase where "retain" (verb) describes the action of keeping or maintaining, and "interest" (noun) is the object of that action. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is used to describe the action of keeping someone engaged.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "retain interest" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe maintaining someone's engagement or attention. Ludwig's analysis of various sources—including news media, scientific publications, and wikis—shows its wide applicability and neutral tone. The most effective way to use "retain interest" is to emphasize the need to keep content fresh and relevant, preventing audience disengagement. Alternatives like "maintain attention", "hold attention", and "keep engaged" can be employed to add nuance to your writing, but the key to success is understanding your audience and adapting your message accordingly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain attention

Focuses on keeping someone's focus, shifting from the broader concept of interest.

hold attention

Similar to maintain attention, but implies a stronger grasp or control over the focus.

keep engaged

Highlights the active participation aspect of interest.

preserve engagement

Emphasizes the act of safeguarding or protecting the existing involvement.

sustain curiosity

Directly addresses the inquisitiveness aspect of interest.

cultivate enthusiasm

Implies fostering and developing interest over time.

hold a stake

Focuses on the aspect of maintaining ownership or investment, rather than general interest.

keep an eye on

Suggests monitoring something closely, implying a sustained but perhaps less active interest.

follow closely

Emphasizes tracking or observing something with sustained interest.

nurture engagement

Suggests actively fostering and promoting continued involvement.

FAQs

How can I "retain interest" in a presentation?

To "retain interest" in a presentation, use visuals, interactive elements, and storytelling. Keep the content relevant and tailor it to your audience. Break up long segments with activities or Q&A sessions. Consider using alternatives like "maintain attention" or "keep engaged".

What's a good substitute for the phrase "retain interest"?

Alternatives to "retain interest" include "maintain attention", "hold attention", or "keep engaged". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

How do you "retain interest" in a long-term project?

To "retain interest" in a long-term project, break it into smaller, manageable tasks. Set clear goals and celebrate milestones. Seek feedback and collaborate with others to stay motivated. Remember why you started the project in the first place. It also helps to "sustain curiosity".

Is it better to "retain interest" or spark interest?

Both are important, but they serve different purposes. "Spark interest" refers to initially grabbing someone's attention, while "retain interest" refers to maintaining that attention over time. You need to spark it first and then "maintain attention" to fully engage someone.