retain yourself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'retain yourself' is not typically used in written English. Instead, a phrase such as 'remain composed' or 'stay composed' would be more appropriate. For example, "I know the situation is difficult, but try to retain yourself and remain calm."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

By changing all the little things you can retain yourself but help yourself break a habit.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Tax-planning ideas will, of course, vary from one country to the next, but here are a few: Give your heirs the future interest in a property, retaining for yourself the income from the asset pay tax now (at a lower rate) instead of in the future.

Forbes

Now behave yourself" – retain their threat, when a few years later they might have teetered over into self-parody.

The Guardian - Film

Wear a hat to retain that body heat and keep yourself warm.

WikiHow

Our salary cap has to evolve to help you to retain players you produce yourself.

Independent

You also cannot retain a device for yourself and then lecture others that they are not "entitled" to it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then he broke off the relationship in a letter dictated to his secretary, with a personal note written on the bottom that said: "Take care of yourself and retain your optimism".

The New York Times

If you choose to mail the form, scan or photocopy it and retain a copy for yourself.

WikiHow

If you keep all the good words – the rich, descriptive, wild long words – to yourself then you retain their high value.

The Guardian - Opinion

This article originally appeared on VICE US.

Vice

If you've lost any meaningful prospects you still need somewhere that offers a sense of escape, somewhere where anything goes, a place where you can lose yourself but still retain or perhaps even renew a sense of identity.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "retain yourself", consider more common and grammatically sound alternatives like "compose yourself" or "control yourself" to convey the intended meaning of maintaining composure or self-control.

Common error

Avoid using "retain yourself" in formal contexts. This phrase is not standard English and may confuse readers. Opt for stronger, more recognized phrases to express your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retain yourself" functions as an imperative, although it's not a standard or widely recognized construction. It attempts to convey the idea of maintaining one's state or composure. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not typically used in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Wiki

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the individual words are valid, the phrase "retain yourself" is not a standard or commonly used expression in English. Ludwig AI confirms its infrequency and suggests alternatives. Grammatically, it's questionable, and its intended meaning of maintaining composure or identity is better conveyed through phrases like "compose yourself" or "preserve your identity". Therefore, it's best to avoid "retain yourself" in favor of more established and easily understood alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compose yourself

Focuses on regaining calmness and emotional control after being upset or agitated.

control yourself

Highlights the act of maintaining command over one's actions or emotions.

maintain your composure

Stresses the importance of staying calm and collected, especially in stressful situations.

keep your cool

An informal way of saying to remain calm and avoid getting angry or anxious.

hold yourself together

Suggests preventing oneself from falling apart emotionally or mentally.

preserve your identity

Emphasizes maintaining one's sense of self and individuality amidst external pressures.

stay true to yourself

Highlights the importance of adhering to one's values and beliefs.

remain self-possessed

Focuses on maintaining a confident and controlled demeanor.

keep yourself in check

Suggests monitoring and restraining one's behavior or impulses.

be yourself

Encourages authenticity and self-acceptance.

FAQs

What does it mean to "retain" something?

To "retain" means to keep possession of something, or to continue to have something. It often refers to physical objects or abstract concepts like information or moisture.

What can I say instead of "retain yourself"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "compose yourself", "control yourself", or "maintain your composure".

Is "retain yourself" grammatically correct?

While the individual words are valid, the phrase "retain yourself" is not standard English and is rarely used. It's better to use more common and accepted phrases.

How can I use "retain" in a sentence?

You can use "retain" in sentences like "The soil helps to retain moisture" or "The company wants to retain its best employees".