retained forever

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retained forever" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something will be kept or preserved indefinitely without any intention of removal or loss. Example: "The memories of our time together will be retained forever in my heart."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When there is evidence of a crime or "foreign intelligence information," the communications can be retained forever.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is Ariel and the other giant settlements like it that Sharon is bidding to retain forever by giving up Gaza.

The New York Times - Magazine

So in neither case would sinners be able to retain forever their libertarian freedom to continue separating themselves from the ultimate source of human happiness.

SEP

Next time we'll talk about some retention guidelines so you don't end up with tons of data to retain forever!

Forbes

This was love and I'm certain I experienced a kinship that I'll retain forever.

Vice

A surgical reform would be congressional term limits, which would end careerism, thereby changing the incentives for entering politics and for becoming, when in office, an enabler of rent-seekers in exchange for their help in retaining office forever.

The Washington Post

Had he, sweet dreamy Les, been there, instead of scowling, practical-minded Gregor, her emergency would have acquired and forever retained a different poetry, more flattering to her, more congruent with a doomed summer love.

The New Yorker

Although he spoke little English then and forever retained a thick accent, he was very conversant with the United States; his Americanophile mother had raised him on American culture, both high and popular, and he claimed she nicknamed him 'Billy' in honour of Colonel Buffaloo Bill Codyy whose Wild West show had toured Europe.

The Guardian - Film

"What happens when the student leaves – is the system going to retain this data forever?

The Guardian

It used to be that you could buy the OED, and generate only one blip of data ("a copy has been sold"), and you could retain the book forever.

The Guardian - Tech

Although constitutional experts, bolstered by a number of court decisions, have repeatedly refuted the Bundys' claims and affirmed the government's land-use authority, Ammon's lawyers say the supreme court should specifically address "whether Congress can forever retain the majority of the land within a State".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "retained forever", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being retained and why its indefinite preservation is significant. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "retained forever" when the context suggests a limited or uncertain duration. Overstating permanence can undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retained forever" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the duration for which something is kept or preserved. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and used to denote permanence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "retained forever" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, employed to signify that something is kept or preserved indefinitely. Although not very frequent, its purpose is to emphasize permanence, making it suitable for various contexts including news, science, and academia. When using this phrase, it's best to clearly establish what is being retained and avoid overstating the permanence if the context suggests otherwise. Alternative phrases like "permanently kept" or "preserved indefinitely" can also be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

permanently kept

Emphasizes the state of being kept without specifying the method of retention.

preserved indefinitely

Highlights the act of preserving with no defined end point.

kept in perpetuity

Uses more formal language to indicate endless retention.

held without limit

Focuses on the absence of restrictions on the duration of holding.

maintained eternally

Stresses the continuous effort to keep something in its current state for all time.

enduringly preserved

Combines the concepts of lasting and maintaining something's original condition.

unalterably kept

Highlights the unchanging state of being retained.

consistently maintained

Focuses on the repetitive or habitual aspect of retaining.

preserved for good

Implies a final decision to keep something indefinitely.

stored permanently

Highlights the long-term storage aspect of retention.

FAQs

How can I use "retained forever" in a sentence?

Use "retained forever" to emphasize the indefinite preservation of something. For example, "The museum ensures these artifacts are "retained forever" for future generations".

What are some alternatives to "retained forever"?

Alternatives include "permanently kept", "preserved indefinitely", or "kept in perpetuity", depending on the level of formality and specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "retained forever and ever"?

Yes, adding "and ever" to "retained forever" is generally redundant. The word "forever" already implies an unlimited duration, so the addition doesn't add any further meaning.

What is the difference between "retained forever" and "archived"?

"Retained forever" suggests an ongoing accessibility or relevance, while "archived" implies storage for preservation but potentially reduced accessibility. Something "retained forever" might still be actively used, whereas something archived is typically kept for historical or backup purposes.