retain on file

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retain on file" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in contexts where information or documents are kept for future reference or record-keeping. Example: "We will retain your application on file for future job openings."

✓ Grammatically correct

General Writing

Legal Documentation

Record-Keeping

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Please retain on file".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

All disciplinary cases are retained on file for five (5) years.

Columbia University

Further alignment of the Indonesian samples with other proposed common epitope regions of NS1 reported by Masrinoul et al. [ 36] showed that although the regions had limited polymorphisms compared to the common epitope sequences, the polymorphisms were retained on all of the samples (Additional file 2: Figure S1).

BMC Infectious Diseases

A complete account of the Bayesian relative rates tests is given in Additional data file 4. Locus number refers to paralogous loci retained on both duplicons, as described in Additional files 1 and 2.

BMC Genomics

SNP genotypes retained on 29 autosomes and chromosome X (Additional file 3) were compared to the sequencing derived SNPs.

BMC Genomics

However, 33 protein spots with significantly different (P < 0.05) expression levels were retained on calli cultured in two conditions (A4 medium and A10 medium; Additional file 1).

BMC Plant Biology

Files in the sandbox can be modified, and all old versions are retained on the server.

University of California, Berkeley

40529_2017_169_MOESM2_ESM.pptx Additional file 2. Final SGW (at physiological maturity) of four wheat genotypes at varying range of grains retained on each spike at the time of anthesis.

Botanical Studies

Sprite fittings were retained on production aircraft.

Wikipedia

Computers generally retain file information until it's written over.

Forbes

On the other hand, acrodontan CRs do not seem to conserve CSB II in Domain 3 and agamids do not even retain CSB III (Additional File 1).

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "retain on file", be specific about the duration and purpose for which the information should be kept. For example, specify "retain on file for auditing purposes for seven years".

Common error

Avoid using "retain on file" when the action is to actively update a file. "Retain" implies keeping something as is, not modifying it. Use "update the file" instead of trying to incorporate "retain on file" incorrectly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retain on file" functions as an instruction or directive to keep a record of something. It's commonly used in professional settings to ensure information is preserved for future reference. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "retain on file" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that instructs one to keep a record of something for future reference. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid. While the phrase appears uncommonly, it is often used in professional and neutral contexts, such as News & Media, Scientific and Academic writing. To ensure clarity, always specify the duration and purpose for retaining the information. Alternatives include "keep on record" and "preserve for future reference".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Keep on record

This alternative emphasizes the act of maintaining a formal record.

Maintain in our records

This alternative is more formal and specifies the location of the stored information.

Preserve for future reference

This alternative focuses on the intent of keeping the information for later use.

Store for safekeeping

This alternative highlights the security aspect of retaining the information.

Hold in storage

This alternative is more general and refers to keeping something in a storage location.

Keep in our database

This alternative specifies the use of a database for storing the information.

Retain a copy

This alternative emphasizes the preservation of a duplicate.

Keep a record of

This is a general phrase about creating and maintaining a record.

Save for later use

This alternative focuses on the temporal aspect of retaining the information.

Archive for documentation

This alternative is more formal and is specific to documentation purposes.

FAQs

What does "retain on file" mean?

"Retain on file" means to keep a document or piece of information stored for future reference or record-keeping purposes. It implies maintaining the information in an organized manner for easy retrieval.

How long should I "retain on file" documents?

The length of time you should "retain on file" a document depends on legal, regulatory, and business requirements. Consult relevant laws and company policies to determine the appropriate retention period.

What are some alternatives to "retain on file"?

You can use alternatives like "keep on record", "maintain in our records", or "preserve for future reference" depending on the specific context.

Is "retain on file" the same as "store on file"?

While similar, "retain on file" often implies a more formal or deliberate decision to keep the information for a specific reason, such as compliance or legal requirements. "Store on file" is a more general term for keeping information organized.