retains up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retains up" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be an incorrect combination of words and does not convey a clear meaning. Example: "The company retains up its standards for quality." (This is incorrect; it should be "retains its standards.")

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

fcc (bcc) structure in spherical shape retains up to a critical dimension of its radius R=37.1 (0.71) nm.

Acta Materialia

The C14 structure retains up to the Mn/Ni concentration of 1.50/0.50 and any further substitution of Mn by Ni leads to its transformation to the C15 phase.

Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy

The optimal CuS@CD-GOH was used as a positive electrode for the fabrication of asymmetric supercapacitor along with reduced GO as the negative electrode, which delivered the highest energy density up to 28 W h kg−1 along with long cycling life and retains up to 90% specific capacitance after 5000 cycles.

Carbon

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Incorporated in Panama but based in the Bahamas, the fund retained up to 50 Caribbean officers each year.

The Guardian

By the 11th century, Roman liturgy had acquired the classic form that it retained up to Vatican II.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Pennsylvania's program lets them get scholarships and also lets scholarship organizations retain up to 20 percent in administrative fees.

The New York Times

Negotiations with the Iraqis to retain up to 5,000 troops as advisers and trainers failed over a disagreement to provide the men with immunity from Iraqi law.

The Economist

Mr Powell also alleged that Iraq retained up to a few dozen Scud missiles, and that biological warheads had been dispersed across western Iraq.

The Economist

The basic elements of recitative and aria, occasional ensembles, and choruses were retained up to the present day, although their proportions in relation to one another varied.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The pair, who teamed up for the first time in Iceland at the weekend, were retained up front for this friendly amid a welter of changes and have emerged as the manager's first-choice attack.

The Guardian - Sport

Citigroup, which has reached a deal with the Treasury to repay $20 billion in federal bailout money, will be able to retain up to $38 billion in the tax benefits, known as deferred tax assets, under the new ruling.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness, replace "retains up" with a more appropriate verb like "maintains", "preserves", or "keeps".

Common error

Avoid adding unnecessary words like "up" after "retains". Using "retains" alone often conveys the intended meaning more effectively and clearly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retains up" functions as a verb phrase, although it's grammatically questionable. Ludwig's examples show instances where entities 'retain' something, but the addition of 'up' is usually incorrect and likely a redundancy, as clarified by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "retains up" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Ludwig AI confirms its assessment, advising against its use. Although it appears in various sources, particularly within science and news media, its usage is inconsistent with standard English grammar. For clearer and more effective communication, consider using alternatives such as "maintains", "preserves", or "keeps", depending on the specific context. While some instances might seem acceptable, focusing on grammatical accuracy will enhance the credibility and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintains

This is a more standard verb for keeping something in its current state.

preserves

Implies keeping something safe from harm or decay.

keeps

A simpler, more general term for holding onto something.

holds onto

Emphasizes the act of grasping and not letting go.

conserves

Highlights the careful use and preservation of resources.

upholds

Suggests maintaining a standard or principle.

sustains

Focuses on providing support to continue something.

secures

Highlights making something safe from being lost.

maintains at a level

Specifically indicates maintaining something at a certain degree.

holds steady

Suggests a stable state of retainment without fluctuations.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "retains" in a sentence?

Use "retains" followed directly by the object it is keeping, such as "The company retains its standards". Avoid adding "up" after "retains".

What can I say instead of "retains up"?

Consider alternatives such as "maintains", "preserves", or "keeps", depending on the context.

Is "retains up to" grammatically correct?

While you might encounter "retains up to", it's often better to use "retains up to" as it sounds more natural and follows standard English. Also "up to" is redundant.

What is the difference between "retains" and "maintains"?

"Retains" implies keeping something that already exists, while "maintains" suggests actively working to keep something at a certain level or standard.