retained me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retained me" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in a context where someone is referring to being kept or hired for a specific role or task, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The firm retained me as their legal counsel for the upcoming case."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"The Hance law firm retained me to assist them and their client in developing an aggressive crisis management and communications strategy," Mr. Weaver said.

The New York Times

You write that I have "signed on to represent a major telecommunications company that has a strong financial interest in lobbying the Defense Department" and that Global Crossing has retained me "to help persuade the Defense Department to drop its objections to a proposed sale to foreign buyers".

The New York Times

I retained me.

Huffington Post

The adoptive parent retained me to help understand the medical issues for this little boy.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"When clients retain me, they don't retain me because I am Tom Daschle's wife".

The New York Times

The company created another part-time position as they wanted to retain me within the business.

The Guardian - Money

When, toward the end of the final year of my H1-B visa, the employers at the publishing firm where I worked decided to retain me and file a green-card petition on my behalf, I viewed it as a righteous victory.

The New Yorker

"They were keen to retain me, which is flattering.

BBC

"They don't seem particularly interested in retaining me, while Canada have been offering me all sorts and putting together a package that's very enticing, and bending over backwards to get me over there".

BBC

Please let me know when you speak to Fox about retaining me...or not…".

Huffington Post

(H1 DP7, Interview 1) Ja, I think … (RWOPS) does (help retain me) because you get frustrated if you feel you don't get enough operating time (in public), you don't get enough time to do (specific surgical procedures) and you can't … see how you're going to make it work for you.

Human Resources for Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "retained me", ensure the context clearly indicates a formal agreement or decision to keep someone in a professional capacity. Consider alternatives like "hired me" or "kept me on" for simpler, more common phrasing.

Common error

Avoid using "retained me" in informal contexts where a more casual phrase like "hired me" would be more appropriate. Overly formal language can sound stilted or unnatural in everyday conversation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retained me" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the speaker was the recipient of the action of being retained. It implies a formal agreement or decision by another party to keep the speaker in their service.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "retained me" is a grammatically acceptable but somewhat uncommon expression used to indicate that someone has been kept in service, typically in a professional context. While understandable, Ludwig AI indicates it can sound awkward, suggesting alternatives like "hired me" or "kept me on" for more straightforward communication. Analysis of its usage shows that the phrase appears mostly in News & Media. When deciding whether to use "retained me", consider the context and aim for clarity and naturalness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kept me on

Emphasizes the continuation of a working relationship or role, implying ongoing employment.

continued my employment

Highlights the uninterrupted nature of one's job or professional engagement.

hired me again

Focuses on the act of being employed for a second or subsequent time.

engaged my services

Highlights the act of formally employing someone for a specific set of tasks or expertise.

secured my commitment

Stresses ensuring one's dedication or ongoing involvement in a project or organization.

maintained my involvement

Highlights the uninterrupted nature of one's participation in something.

preserved my role

Focuses on maintaining one's specific function or position within a context.

appointed me anew

Highlights being re-appointed or given a position for another term or project.

sustained my position

Emphasizes the continuation and support of one's standing or role.

contracted me again

Specifically implies a renewed contractual agreement for services.

FAQs

What does "retained me" mean?

The phrase "retained me" generally means that someone or an organization has chosen to keep you in their service, often in a professional capacity like a lawyer or consultant.

What's a more common alternative to "retained me"?

More common alternatives include "hired me" or "kept me on", which are generally easier to understand.

Is "retained me" formal or informal?

"Retained me" leans towards formal usage, suitable for professional or legal contexts. In everyday conversation, simpler alternatives are preferred.

How can I use "retained me" correctly in a sentence?

For example: "The law firm "retained me" to assist with the case". Make sure the context involves a professional engagement.