retained power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retained power" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing authority, control, or influence that has been maintained or preserved over time. Example: "The government has retained power despite the ongoing protests and calls for reform."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

She's retained power over men by making them love her.

The New York Times

The Alliance retained power four years later in the 2010 elections.

The Guardian

The DFP retained power until 1995, when Charles retired from public life.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Yet the capital's hard-working chief minister, Sheila Dikshit, retained power with ease.

The Economist

In elections on March 7 , 2012 Barrow's UDP government retained power.

Encyclopedia Britannica

His party retained power after winning general elections in 1952 and 1956.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Had it retained power, he would probably have become finance minister, and possibly prime minister.

The Economist

The UWP retained power in elections held in 1987 and 1992.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It retained power largely on the basis of sympathy generated by the death of P.M. Masayoshi Ohira.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Although unfashionable, they still retain power.

Independent

"I hope he retains power in Gujarat".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "retained power", ensure the context clearly indicates what kind of power is being retained (e.g., political, economic, social) for better clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "retained power" in contexts where the subject never actually possessed power initially. The phrase implies a prior state of having power that has been maintained, not newly acquired.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retained power" functions as a verb phrase, typically used with a subject (e.g., a person, government, or organization) to indicate they have maintained their authority or control. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across various sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "retained power" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to indicate that someone or something has maintained their authority or control. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase appears frequently in news and encyclopedic contexts, with a neutral register. When using "retained power", ensure the context clearly indicates the type of power being retained, and be mindful that the subject must have previously possessed the power in question. Alternatives include "maintained control" or "held onto authority", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Maintained control

Focuses on the act of keeping control, rather than specifically power.

Held onto authority

Emphasizes the preservation of authority, suggesting a more formal type of power.

Preserved influence

Highlights the act of keeping influence, which is a softer form of power.

Kept a grip on power

Implies a more tenacious and potentially precarious hold on power.

Clung to authority

Suggests a desperate attempt to maintain authority when facing opposition.

Continued to rule

Focuses specifically on political power and the act of governing.

Remained in charge

A more informal way of saying someone continued to have authority.

Sustained dominance

Suggests a prolonged period of superiority and control.

Exercised continued influence

Emphasizes the active use of influence over time.

Didn't relinquish control

Highlights the act of not giving up control, implying a conscious decision.

FAQs

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

You can use "retained power" to describe a situation where someone or something has maintained authority, control, or influence. For example, "The incumbent government "retained power" despite the economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to "retained power"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "maintained control", "held onto authority", or "preserved influence" to convey a similar meaning to "retained power".

Is it more formal to say "retained power" or "held onto power"?

"Retained power" is generally considered more formal than "held onto power". The former is often used in official or academic contexts, while the latter is more conversational. Using the option "held onto power" is more informal.

What's the difference between "retained power" and "regained power"?

"Retained power" means to have kept the power one already had, while "regained power" implies that power was lost at some point and then recovered. Make sure you use "regained power" only in sentences where it's clear that something previously lost power.