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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
retain stable
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "retain stable" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not commonly used and may cause confusion; a more appropriate phrase would be "maintain stability." Example: "In order to succeed in a volatile market, companies must find ways to retain stable operations."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
9 human-written examples
"We therefore retain stable outlooks on these countries ratings, although there are questions about the willingness of the U.S. to take the necessary steps," Moody's said in its report.
News & Media
Systematic electromechanical characterizations reveal that the SWCNT/PDMS stretchable conductors can retain stable conductance after 10,000 cycles of stretching with strains up to 25%%.
Science
For fully-passive operation, a higher catalyst loading at the cathode helps retain stable performance when a WBD enhancement layer is used.
Science
These copolymers retain stable piezoelectric activity up to the melting temperature (165 and 186°C for 86 and 94 mol% VDF copolymers, respectively).
Science
Tissue morphogenesis and organogenesis require that cells retain stable cell-cell adhesion while changing shape and moving.
Science
The results suggest that porcine DFAT cells retain stable growth characteristic and efficient proliferative potential.
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
51 human-written examples
As shown in Figure 7a, the HRS and LRS are retained stable for more than 104 s at RT and 85°C with a resistance ratio of approximately 102 times at 0.3 V.
Science
It shows an initial charge capacity of 113 mA h g−1 and a discharge capacity of 106.5 mA h g−1 at 0.1 C, and retains stable discharge capacities of 104.3, 101.1, 96.4 and 93 mA h g−1 at current rates of 0.2 C, 0.5 C, 1 C and 2 C, respectively.
Science
When used as sodium-ion batteries cathode, the hybrid composite delivers an initial discharge capacity of 115.2 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C rate, and retains stable discharge capacities of 113.1, 109.0, 102.4, 94.0 and 85.2 mAh g−1 at high current rates of 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 C rate, respectively.
Science
The samples are galvanostatically tested with C/12 rate: the Cu capped CuSi film delivers 850 mafter after 30th cycles, and it retains stable up to 100 cycle with 99% coulombic efficiency, whilst the bare CuSi film performs a gradual decrease in capacity over 100 cycles.
Science
Instead, L.A. Unified retains stable leadership as it wrestles with major budget decisions, a shift to new academic standards and a $1-billion 1-billion iPadamong other challenges.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, replace "retain stable" with alternatives such as "maintain stability" or "preserve consistency" for improved readability.
Common error
Avoid using "retain" directly before adjectives like "stable". "Retain" typically takes a noun as its object. Instead of "retain stable", use "maintain stability" or "retain a stable condition".
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "retain stable" attempts to function as a verb phrase where "retain" acts as a transitive verb aiming to describe the act of keeping something in a stable condition. However, according to Ludwig AI, this is not standard English usage as "retain" should be followed by a noun.
Frequent in
Science
75%
News & Media
22%
Formal & Business
3%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
0%
Wiki
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "retain stable" appears in various contexts, particularly in scientific and news-related domains, it is considered grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, a more appropriate and standard way to express the same idea is to use phrases like "maintain stability" or "preserve consistency". The data indicates that using correct alternatives ensures clarity and aligns with accepted English grammar conventions. Therefore, writers should opt for these alternatives to enhance the precision and credibility of their writing. It's worth noticing that the best alternative is "maintain stability".
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
maintain stability
Focuses on the state of being stable rather than the act of retaining it, implying a proactive effort to keep something stable.
preserve consistency
Emphasizes keeping something uniform or unchanged over time.
uphold steadiness
Suggests actively supporting or defending a stable condition.
sustain equilibrium
Implies maintaining a balance or state of equilibrium.
ensure uniformity
Highlights the act of making certain that something remains uniform.
secure firmness
Focuses on ensuring a solid or unyielding state.
keep invariant
Implies maintaining something that does not change or vary.
hold constant
Suggests maintaining a fixed or unchanging value or state.
prevent fluctuations
Focuses on actively stopping changes or variations from occurring.
minimize variation
Highlights the effort to reduce or limit changes.
FAQs
What is a more grammatically correct alternative to "retain stable"?
A more grammatically sound alternative is to use "maintain stability", which correctly pairs a verb with a noun to express the idea of keeping something in a stable condition.
How can I use the phrase "maintain stability" in a sentence?
You can use "maintain stability" in sentences like, "The company needs to maintain stability during the economic downturn" or "Regular exercise helps maintain stability in your physical and mental health."
Is "retain stability" better than "retain stable"?
Yes, "retain stability" is grammatically superior to "retain stable". The former uses the verb "retain" with the noun "stability", which is correct. "Retain stable" is not standard English usage.
What does it mean to "maintain stability"?
To "maintain stability" means to keep something in a consistent and unchanging state, preventing it from fluctuating or becoming unstable.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested