retains the same

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retains the same" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used to indicate that something remains unchanged or consistent over time. Example: "Despite the changes in management, the company retains the same values it was founded on."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It retains the same kind of ambivalence toward traditional song structure.

The New York Times - Arts

Whereas the character of Mereia retains the same name in both casts, Claudia becomes Claudius.

The New York Times

"An object in possession seldom retains the same charm that it had in pursuit," he wrote.

The Guardian

The players' proposal retains the same basic structure and attempts to build on it.

The New York Times - Sports

Murray's analysis retains the same focus today that it did in 1986.

The New York Times

The Lettera 32 (McCarthy's version) which was introduced in 1963, retains the same essential shape, but has square keys.

The New Yorker

The results showed that the matrix of LGN layer retains the same composition as the substrate alloy.

Surface and Coatings Technology

A kinetic energy preserving (KEP) scheme which retains the same advantageous stencil and communications halo as the original Roe scheme is instead implemented and tested.

Computers & Fluids

As the fine mesh retains the same geometric map as the coarse mesh, we can guarantee mesh validity with the coarse mesh only.

Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering

Modified-strophic setting retains the same musical framework for each stanza but with changing details in the voice and accompaniment to suit the progressing text.

Britannica

Philip Glass changes his instrumentation and musical genres but retains the same motoric Minimalism; he's repetitive in more ways than one.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for formal writing, replace the phrase "retains the same" with grammatically correct alternatives such as "remains the same" or "maintains its original state" to enhance clarity and credibility.

Common error

Be mindful of the redundancy in "retains the same". Instead, simply using "retains" already implies that something is kept in its original state. For instance, "The policy retains its core principles" is more concise than "The policy retains the same core principles."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retains the same" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that something maintains a previous quality, characteristic, or state. Although Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is incorrect, the examples show its common usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Despite its widespread usage, even in reputable sources, "retains the same" is considered grammatically incorrect due to redundancy. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is best replaced by more concise and grammatically sound alternatives like "remains the same", "stays the same", or simply "retains". While its frequency makes it a common expression, opting for these alternatives enhances clarity and professionalism in writing. Remember to be mindful of the redundancy to improve conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remains the same

Replaces "retains" with "remains", offering a grammatically correct alternative with the same meaning.

maintains the same

Substitutes "retains" with "maintains", conveying a sense of active preservation of the original state.

stays the same

Substitutes "retains" with "stays", providing a more informal yet grammatically sound option.

keeps the same

Replaces "retains" with "keeps", resulting in a more casual alternative with similar implications.

preserves the same

Offers a more formal and emphatic alternative by using "preserves" instead of "retains".

holds the same

Replaces "retains" with "holds", suggesting a firm or lasting consistency.

sustains the same

Emphasizes the continuous nature of maintaining the original state, using "sustains" instead of "retains".

is unchanged

Provides a simpler, more direct alternative by focusing on the lack of change.

continues the same

Highlights the ongoing nature of maintaining consistency with a more descriptive alternative to the original phrase.

endures the same

Highlights the property to last or suffer something patiently, using "endures" instead of "retains".

FAQs

What's a grammatically correct alternative to "retains the same"?

While frequently used, "retains the same" is grammatically incorrect. Better alternatives include "remains the same", "stays the same", or simply "retains", depending on the context.

Is it always wrong to use the phrase "retains the same"?

Although commonly found, even in reputable publications, the phrase "retains the same" is grammatically incorrect because it's redundant. Using just "retains" often conveys the intended meaning more effectively.

How can I make my writing sound more professional when I want to say something "retains the same"?

To sound more professional, use phrases like "maintains the same", "remains the same", or rephrase the sentence to use "retains" alone. For example, instead of saying "The product retains the same quality", say "The product retains its quality".

What's the difference between "retains the same" and "remains the same"?

"Retains the same" is often considered grammatically incorrect due to redundancy, whereas "remains the same" is grammatically sound and conveys the idea of something staying unchanged. "Retains" itself implies sameness, making "the same" unnecessary.