retain the concept

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retain the concept" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the importance of keeping or maintaining an idea or principle in a particular context. Example: "In order to succeed in this project, it is crucial to retain the concept of teamwork throughout all stages of development."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

What is crucial, however, is the concern of all these positions to retain the concept of Torah as one of the central and continuing affirmations of Judaism.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In this case, we shall be able to retain the concept of race only by allowing for a vagueness and even confusion in what we mean by it.

SEP

To admit this, but to retain the concept of the non-temporality of deity, requires belief in contingencies eternally fixed in the being of God.

SEP

Were Hyundai to peg a reasonable price to a production version – and retain the concept's efficient, 190hp 2-litre turbodiesel engine – a niche would be filled.

BBC

Even for those who wish to retain the concept of the autonomous individual self I believe it is of signal importance to bring the family center stage in thinking about forming and reforming institutions to address the Herculean economic, social, political and environmental tasks we face today.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

There is quick four question quiz on the assignment to encourage students to both do the work and to help them retain the concepts.

Johns Hopkins University

A frequent critic of government secrecy, Mr. Blanton did praise the draft for retaining the concept of automatic declassification.

The New York Times

Modern Judaism has toned down the historic exaltation of the Jewish people above others in the liturgy but has retained the concept of the chosen people, stressing the prophetic idea of Judaism's world mission.

Britannica

Poncelet's followers realized that they were hampering themselves, and disguising the true fundamentality of projective geometry, by retaining the concept of length and congruence in their formulations, since projections do not usually preserve them.

Britannica

Though other churches of the Reformation rejected the canon law of the Roman Catholic church, the Church of England retained the concept of canon law and developed its own type, which has acceptance in the churches of the Anglican Communion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It's hard for me to be objective given my own experience, but I think the organisations that have developed the concept of a more personal approach in smaller living units, while retaining the concept of community, have been and are the most successful.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "retain the concept" to show continuity or consistency in a project, theory, or understanding over time.

Common error

Avoid using "retain the concept" in simple or obvious situations where a more direct verb like "keep" or "remember" would suffice. This can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retain the concept" functions as a verb phrase, where 'retain' is the verb indicating the action of keeping or preserving something, and 'the concept' is the direct object, referring to an idea or principle. This phrase commonly expresses the act of maintaining a specific understanding or core idea, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

32%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "retain the concept" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that signifies the act of maintaining a core idea or principle. Ludwig indicates that this phrase is most commonly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedia contexts, with a frequency rating of 'Uncommon'. It is useful for emphasizing continuity and consistency, particularly when discussing complex or abstract ideas. While "retain the concept" is suitable for formal and neutral registers, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding pretentious in simple contexts. Alternatives such as "maintain the idea" or "preserve the notion" can provide similar meaning with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain the idea

Focuses on keeping an idea alive or in place.

preserve the notion

Emphasizes the act of keeping a notion intact and preventing it from being lost or changed.

uphold the principle

Highlights the act of supporting or defending a principle, ensuring it remains valid.

keep the understanding

Focuses on maintaining a specific comprehension or interpretation.

hold onto the belief

Implies maintaining a strong conviction or faith in something.

sustain the vision

Highlights maintaining a long-term perspective or goal.

conserve the thought

Emphasizes careful preservation of a particular line of thinking.

safeguard the tenet

Implies protecting a core belief or doctrine from harm or alteration.

secure the idea

Focuses on making an idea stable and resistant to change.

defend the thesis

Highlights the act of arguing for or supporting a central argument or proposition.

FAQs

How can I use "retain the concept" in a sentence?

You can use "retain the concept" to emphasize the importance of maintaining a core idea or principle, even when other aspects change. For example, "The new design "retains the concept" of simplicity, but uses modern materials".

What are some alternatives to "retain the concept"?

Some alternatives include "maintain the idea", "preserve the notion", or "uphold the principle". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "retain the concept" or "keep the concept"?

"Retain the concept" is more formal and emphasizes preserving the idea's integrity, while "keep the concept" is more casual and general. Use "retain the concept" in academic or formal writing and "keep the concept" in informal contexts.

What does "retain the concept" imply?

"Retain the concept" implies that the core idea is valuable and should not be lost, even if other elements are modified or updated. It suggests a conscious effort to preserve the fundamental principle.