retains on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retains on" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used expression and does not convey a clear meaning. Example: "The company retains on its commitment to sustainability." (This should be "retains its commitment to sustainability.")

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The European press got much of its interest in relativity by way of America, and even today the name of Einstein retains on this side of the Atlantic its peculiar rallying power as the battle cry of the culture-seeker.

The New Yorker

This transform retains, on M, the symmetry of the finite-dimensional case.

Journal of Functional Analysis

As shown in Fig. 1, C atom retains on the surface of the tube, while the other dopants will leave the surface.

Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry

Managed credit-card loans were $50.8 billion at the end of May, including $18.5 billion the company retains on its books.

Forbes

The 30% that Facebook retains on sales of virtual currency for use in purchasing virtual goods–a cut that would shame a mobster suggests the potential for fat profit margins.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Those CRS would be retained on open-ended contracts.

Science Magazine

Since methane is highly volatile, it is not easily retained on conventional sorbents.

Analytica Chimica Acta

Hence the average biomass proportion retained on-site as stump, bark and crown is 36%.

Forest Ecosystems

Biomass retained on-site as sawlog residual was the difference between whole tree biomass and the harvested biomass.

Forest Ecosystems

The implant is passively retained on the cortical bone by a titanium band retainer.

Biomaterials

Silver metal and any gold were retained on the cupel.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "retains on" in formal writing. Opt for more standard and grammatically sound alternatives like "retains its", "holds onto", or "maintains" for clarity and professionalism.

Common error

A common mistake is using "retains on" when the intended meaning is "retains its". Always ensure the possessive pronoun "its" is included to correctly indicate that something keeps something belonging to itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retains on" functions as a verb phrase, where "retains" is the verb and "on" acts as a preposition. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this is not a standard or grammatically correct construction in English, suggesting it's an error where "retains its" or a different phrasing is intended.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "retains on" is flagged by Ludwig AI as grammatically incorrect. While examples exist, they're infrequent and come from a mixture of sources, primarily Science and News & Media. It's often misused when "retains its" is intended. It is recommended to opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "retains its", "holds onto", or "maintains" to ensure clarity and accuracy in writing. Due to its non-standard usage, employing this phrase can lead to misinterpretations and is best avoided in formal contexts. Therefore, writers should exercise caution and choose more conventional phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

holds onto

This alternative replaces "retains" with a more common phrasal verb expressing possession or maintenance.

maintains possession of

This phrase provides a more formal and explicit way to indicate continued ownership or control.

keeps in its possession

This option emphasizes the act of actively keeping something, highlighting the possessive aspect.

preserves

This focuses on maintaining the original state or quality of something, suggesting a protective action.

safeguards

This implies a proactive effort to protect something from harm or loss, emphasizing security.

secures

This suggests making something safe and preventing it from being lost or taken away.

sustains

This indicates maintaining something over time, often implying continuous effort or support.

conserves

This focuses on the careful and efficient use of resources to ensure their availability in the future.

upholds

This implies maintaining a principle or standard, often in the face of opposition or challenges.

defends

This suggests actively protecting something from attack or criticism, emphasizing resistance.

FAQs

What is a more grammatically correct alternative to "retains on"?

Instead of "retains on", use more standard English phrases such as "retains its", "holds onto", or simply "retains". The best choice depends on the specific context.

How can I use "retains" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure that "retains" is followed by a direct object or a possessive pronoun like "its". For example, "The company "retains its commitment" to sustainability" is correct.

Is "retains on" ever considered acceptable in English writing?

While some instances of "retains on" can be found, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's best to avoid this phrasing in formal or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "retains on" and "holds onto"?

"Retains on" is generally considered incorrect, while "holds onto" is a phrasal verb that means to keep or maintain possession of something. "Holds onto" is a more idiomatic and widely accepted way to express the idea of keeping something.