retains

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "retains" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used as a verb form and typically means to continue to possess or hold onto something. For example: "The city retains its small-town charm even as it grows larger each year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Asia retains its place as the continental grouping with the most FDI, with its $426bn inflows making it worth almost 30% of worldwide investment.

The Guardian

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, a big supporter, has already railed against what he sees as a US plot and Blatter retains widespread support in Africa and parts of Asia.

The Guardian - Sport

Instead of stirring the rice to release its creamy starch, as one would with risotto, the grains are left alone, so "the rice retains its 'soul', its inner shape", but, "by boiling it in the right quantity of stock or water it will absorb all the liquid as it cools down gently, and by the time it is completely cold it will be very sticky".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting company still retains a 19% stake in the second mine – known as Kevin's Corner – which is majority owned by GVK and was approved by the environment minister, Greg Hunt, this month.

The Guardian

The company also retains a Brazilian biofuels business but has halted all work on carbon capture and storage.

The Guardian

With typical daring, they collaborate here on a film about the historical legacy of Pavilion, an 80s and 90s Leeds venue that retains some claim to have been the UK's first gallery for the exclusive showing of the newly emerging genre of feminist photography.

The Guardian - Arts

Blatter retains the support of most associations in Africa and Asia but his rival, Prince Ali, has claimed to have the support of at least 60 of the 209 voters outside Europe.

The Guardian - Sport

There have been no significant protests against the result as Mugabe retains an iron grip.

The Guardian

A century after the first group of determined women gathered in a shed in the village of Llanfairpwllgwyngyll on Anglesey, the organisation founded in part to encourage women to farm while their husbands were away at war retains many traditions that its founders would recognise.

The Guardian

The fascination that inspired Warhol's postage-stamp portraiture and Elton John's outpourings retains its grip.

The Guardian - Opinion

It retains close ties to Pakistani security services.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "retains" to describe the continuation of a quality, characteristic, or position over time, especially when facing potential change or loss.

Common error

Avoid using "retains" when the subject doesn't actively maintain something. For example, instead of saying "The old house retains damage", consider "The old house shows damage" or "The old house has damage".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "retains" is as a transitive verb in the third-person singular present tense. It signifies the action of continuing to possess, hold, or keep something. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various sentence structures, as shown in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "retains" functions as a transitive verb indicating the continued possession or preservation of something. Ludwig AI verifies that it is grammatically sound and widely used. It appears frequently in news and media, formal and business, and science contexts, suggesting its versatility. When using "retains", make sure that you don't use it with passive subjects. Consider using "keeps", "maintains", or "preserves" as alternatives based on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keeps

Emphasizes maintaining possession or condition without necessarily implying effort.

maintains

Suggests active effort to preserve or uphold something.

preserves

Highlights protecting something from harm or change.

holds on to

Implies resisting the loss of something, often with effort.

sustains

Indicates providing support or nourishment to continue something.

conserves

Focuses on careful management to avoid depletion or loss.

possesses

Highlights ownership or control over something.

upholds

Emphasizes defending or supporting a principle or standard.

secures

Highlights ensuring the continued availability or possession of something.

ensures

Indicates making certain that something continues to happen or exist.

FAQs

How can I use "retains" in a sentence?

"Retains" indicates keeping possession of something. For example: "The company "retains" a 19% stake in the mine" or "The fascination "retains" its grip".

What words are similar to "retains"?

Synonyms for "retains" include "keeps", "maintains", and "preserves". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "retains" to describe an object's properties?

Yes, it's correct. You can say "The fabric "retains" its color well" or "The food "retains" its flavor for days".

What's the difference between "retains" and "maintains"?

"Retains" implies keeping something you already have, while "maintains" suggests ongoing effort to keep something in a certain condition. For example, "He "retains" his title" versus "He "maintains" his fitness through exercise".