retain knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

"retain knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the importance of remembering something. For example, "All students should retain knowledge from each lesson to help them succeed in their studies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

A new study shows that comics help students retain knowledge.

The New Yorker

Acetylcholine system enhancers may be used to improve the ability to learn new facts, retain knowledge, and improve factual recall.

The Guardian - Books

The standard interpretation is that H.M. was able to acquire and improve motor skills, even though he could not retain knowledge of facts.

The New York Times

It avoids outsourcing, in part to retain knowledge within the firm but also because low volumes mean there is no great cost disadvantage in doing so.

The Economist

The team then found that the girls were better able to retain knowledge about which men are more likely to have HIV if they played a simple computer game about HIV-risk, than if they were simply given information to read.

The Guardian

Being able to touch and feel and sometimes even smell or hear things from a remote past may seem less than academic, but this kind of tactile experience adds an almost electric charge to learning that makes it easy to retain knowledge about the past at the same time that it gives us insights into the future.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Retaining knowledge for exams could become easier under acute stress.

Independent

It is a poor way of retaining knowledge once you step out of the classroom.

The Economist

There is no opportunity to engender the excitement of education, the thrill of simply finding and retaining knowledge.

The Guardian

Presumably, most of the workers who would benefit from this retained knowledge are part of what John C. Beck and Mitchell Wade refer to as "the gamer generation".

The New York Times

Experimentation has shown that certain birds and mammals, at least, are capable of acquiring and retaining knowledge of some aposematic mechanisms from a single experience.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about learning or training programs, emphasize the methods used to help participants "retain knowledge" for the long term.

Common error

Be mindful of redundancy. Phrases like "retain past knowledge" can be repetitive since "retain" already implies keeping something previously known. Opt for "retain knowledge" for conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retain knowledge" primarily functions as a verb phrase acting as the predicate of a sentence, indicating the action of keeping or remembering information. It is often used in contexts related to learning, memory, and education, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

51%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Science & Research

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "retain knowledge" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that emphasizes the ability to remember and maintain information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for various contexts, especially in discussions related to learning, memory, and education. While versatile, avoid redundancy by omitting unnecessary qualifiers. Remember that while common across a variety of media, the usage in scientific papers gives this phrase a slightly formal register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preserve knowledge

Focuses on protecting knowledge from being lost or forgotten.

maintain knowledge

Highlights the ongoing effort to keep knowledge active and accessible.

remember information

Emphasizes the act of recalling specific data or facts.

recall information

Focuses on bringing back information from memory.

store information

Implies keeping information in a place where it can be retrieved later.

memorize facts

Focuses on committing factual information to memory.

learn and remember

Combines the acquisition of knowledge with the ability to recall it.

keep in mind

Stresses the importance of not forgetting something.

bear in mind

Similar to "keep in mind", emphasizing the need to remember.

not forget

Simply emphasizes the act of not losing knowledge.

FAQs

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

You can use "retain knowledge" to describe the ability to remember information, such as, "Effective study habits help students "retain knowledge" longer."

What are some alternatives to "retain knowledge"?

Some alternatives to "retain knowledge" include "preserve knowledge", "maintain knowledge", and "remember information", depending on the context.

Why is it important to "retain knowledge"?

It's important to "retain knowledge" because it enables individuals to apply learned information, build upon existing understanding, and make informed decisions. The ability to "retain knowledge" is crucial for personal and professional growth.

What affects one's ability to "retain knowledge"?

Factors such as learning styles, memory techniques, environmental conditions, and the relevance of the information can all affect one's ability to "retain knowledge". Employing effective strategies is key to maintain knowledge.