retain the title

USAGE SUMMARY

'retain the title' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to express the idea of maintaining/holding on to a title or rank. For example, "The new owner of the company decided to retain the title of president for the previous owner."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He will retain the title of president.

The New York Times

Mr. Kent will retain the title of chairman.

The New York Times

He needed only two more wins to retain the title.

The New Yorker

Though powerless, Park will retain the title of president.

The Guardian

Anand won the match to retain the title.

The New York Times

2000 Man of Steel as Saints retain the title.

The Guardian - Sport

They make Barcelona the clear favorite to retain the title this May.

The New York Times - Sports

It was an error that allowed Anand to retain the title.

The New York Times

The former is aiming to retain the title for a record third time.

Independent

Another approach allowed the champion to retain the title in a tie.

The New York Times

He will also retain the title of executive director of the newspaper's circulation operations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone "retaining the title", ensure the context clearly indicates from whom or what they are retaining it. Providing context adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "retain the title" when referring to general skills or qualities. The phrase is specific to formally recognized positions, ranks, or honors. Instead, describe skill maintenance using terms like 'preserve' or 'maintain'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retain the title" functions as a verb phrase, typically following a subject and often an auxiliary verb. It describes the action of keeping or maintaining a previously held position or honor, as evidenced by examples found by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "retain the title" is grammatically sound and very common in English writing, used to describe the act of keeping or maintaining a previously held position or honor. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal settings. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being retained and from whom. Alternatives include "keep the title", "maintain the title", and "defend the title", offering nuanced ways to express the same core concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep the title

Simple and direct replacement, emphasizing the act of maintaining possession.

hold onto the title

Suggests effort and resistance to losing the title.

maintain the title

Highlights the ongoing effort required to keep the title.

defend the title

Implies a challenge or competition that must be overcome to keep the title.

preserve the title

Focuses on protecting the title from loss or change.

uphold the title

Suggests a moral or legal obligation to maintain the title.

secure the title

Emphasizes the act of ensuring the title is kept, often through proactive measures.

not relinquish the title

Highlights the active decision not to give up the title.

continue to hold the title

Emphasizes the continuation of possession.

remain the titleholder

Focuses on the state of being the person or entity holding the title.

FAQs

How do you use "retain the title" in a sentence?

You can use "retain the title" to indicate that someone has maintained their position or status, such as, 'The defending champion managed to "keep the title" after a hard-fought match.'

What's the difference between "retain the title" and "win the title"?

"Retain the title" means to keep a title that you already possess, while "win the title" means to gain a title that you did not previously have. Therefore, if someone already has a title, they would try to "hold onto the title", but if they don't, they would try to "win the title".

What are some synonyms for "retain the title"?

Alternatives to "retain the title" include "defend the title", "maintain the title", or "preserve the title". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "retains the title" instead of "retain the title"?

Yes, both are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Retain the title" is the base form and is often used with auxiliary verbs (e.g., 'will retain'). "Retains the title" is the third-person singular present tense form and is used when the subject is singular (e.g., 'He retains the title').