retain wisdom

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retain wisdom" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the ability to keep or hold onto knowledge and insights gained from experiences. Example: "Through years of study and reflection, she was able to retain wisdom that guided her decisions in life."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The association said that 80 percent of young adults who retained previously healthy wisdom teeth developed problems within seven years, and that retained wisdom teeth are extracted up to 70 percent of the time.

The New York Times - Health

Caries are a common finding in retained wisdom teeth.

HuffPost

Orthodontists are generally considered more conservative and more used to retain healthy wisdom teeth and not considering them a cause of incisor crowding; oral surgeons, on the other hand, usually have a more interventionist approach leading to the extraction of all the four wisdom teeth even if asymptomatic.

Progress in Orthodontics

Just last year, the surgeons' association issued a statement subtitled "Keeping Wisdom Teeth May Be More Harmful Than Previously Thought," saying it was imperative that patients understood "how harmful retaining these wisdom teeth can be".

The New York Times - Health

As of Monday, however, the association's Web site still said that "between 25 percent and almost 70 percent" of the time, retained, asymptomatic wisdom teeth "are eventually extracted".

The New York Times - Health

Thankfully, a few companies like Southwest Airlines, Toyota and Cisco Systems have retained the wisdom of building profits by taking care of their people.

The New York Times - Magazine

Retaining our wisdom while removing these barriers becomes the tightrope we walk in order to open our hearts again.

Huffington Post

Hopefully, we can retain Peter's wisdom which never diluted psychoanalysis into shallow concepts or faddish thinking.

The New York Times

Among them, they have trained nine Derby champions — Lukas four, Baffert three and Zito two — and they retain considerable Derby wisdom between their respective ears.

The New York Times - Sports

"Leaders in business are beginning to appreciate that older workers retain unique values, skills, wisdom and judgment and are recognizing, frankly, that the intergenerational teams and workforces may be the most powerful workforces of the future," he said.

Forbes

So as we continue to open our hearts to the needy this holiday season, let's give ourselves a precious gift too: the wisdom to retain this feeling of compassion throughout the entire year to come.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to "retain wisdom", ensure you actively reflect on your experiences and integrate the lessons learned into your decision-making process. Consistent application reinforces retention.

Common error

Avoid simply gathering knowledge without actively applying it. Wisdom is best "retained" through practical use and continuous reflection, not just passive absorption.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retain wisdom" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "retain" is the transitive verb and "wisdom" is the direct object. It describes the action of keeping or preserving knowledge and understanding. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

17%

Wiki

8%

Reference

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "retain wisdom" is grammatically sound and aims to emphasize the preservation and continued application of knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While examples are limited, the phrase is found across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia, indicating a neutral to professional register. To effectively "retain wisdom", actively reflect on experiences and integrate lessons learned into decision-making. Alternatives like "preserve knowledge" or "maintain insight" can be used to express similar meanings. Avoid simply accumulating knowledge passively; active application is key to truly retaining wisdom.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preserve knowledge

Focuses on keeping knowledge intact without necessarily implying its active use.

maintain insight

Emphasizes keeping a deep understanding or intuition.

hold onto understanding

Suggests grasping and not letting go of comprehension.

keep the knowledge

A more straightforward way of expressing the act of not losing knowledge.

safeguard insight

Highlights protecting valuable understanding from being lost or corrupted.

cherish understanding

Implies valuing and carefully preserving comprehension.

cultivate discernment

Focuses on actively developing and maintaining the ability to judge well.

foster sagacity

Promotes the growth and maintenance of keen mental discernment and good judgment.

nurture prudence

Emphasizes developing and caring for the quality of being cautious and wise.

remember lessons learned

Focuses specifically on keeping past learning experiences in mind.

FAQs

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

You can use "retain wisdom" to describe the act of preserving and applying knowledge gained from experience. For instance, "Through years of study and reflection, she was able to "retain wisdom" that guided her decisions in life."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "retain wisdom"?

Alternatives include "preserve knowledge", "maintain insight", or "hold onto understanding", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "retain wisdom" or "gain wisdom"?

"Gain wisdom" refers to acquiring knowledge and understanding, while "retain wisdom" refers to preserving and continuing to use the knowledge you already have. They describe different stages of learning and application.

What's the difference between "retain wisdom" and "accumulate knowledge"?

"Accumulate knowledge" implies gathering information, whereas "retain wisdom" suggests preserving and applying understanding. You can "accumulate knowledge" without necessarily "retaining wisdom", as wisdom involves practical application and discernment.