retake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of taking something again, such as a test, photograph, or video. Example: "After reviewing my performance, I decided to retake the exam to improve my score."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I can assure you they are going to retake Chibok," he added.

The Guardian

The move represents a significant increase of the 50-strong British force currently helping Iraqi and Kurdish fighters prepare to retake territory seized by the jihadist movement over the past year.

The Guardian

Duda has called for higher taxes on banks and large supermarket chains, which are mainly foreign-owned, and wants Poland to retake control of the banks.

The Guardian

Despite gains in the 2014 midterm elections that helped Republicans retake control of Congress, roughly 90% of African Americans voted Democratic last November.

The Guardian

But how do you retake for your own side what is conceived of as "modern"?

The Guardian

Ukrainian troops are currently trying to retake the rebel stronghold of Donetsk, and residents reported hearing air strikes overnight.

The Guardian

He also said he wants Poland to retake control of the banks.

The Guardian

Be warned, it's not a short read and once you start, you can't retake it (if you think you'll want to fill it in on more than one computer email I'mPossible and they'll send you a copy of the survey).

The Guardian

Heavyweight Republicans lined up in Iowa on Saturday claiming to be the leader who could retake the White House for conservatives, as the long race to become the party's nominee for US president in 2016 began in earnest.

The Guardian

Last month experts warned Boko Haram was likely to increase its attacks on civilian targets in response to the successful campaign by government forces to retake several of the group's former strongholds.

The Guardian

Brice Johnson and Justin Jackson scored 15 points each for the fourth-seeded Tar Heels 26-122), who got within one with 4 21 remaining but couldn't retake the lead they owned for much of the second half.Marcus Paige hit consecutive three-pointers that again drew Carolina within one with 54 seconds to go, but Wisconsin (34-3) mall all eight of its free throws over the closing seconds.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing military strategy, use "retake" to convey regaining control of a territory or position. For instance: "The army planned to retake the city." This clearly indicates a strategic objective.

Common error

Avoid using "retake" for situations where 'reconsider' or 'revisit' would be more appropriate. For example, instead of "retake the decision", use "reconsider the decision".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "retake" is as a transitive verb, indicating the action of taking something again or regaining possession. It's evident from Ludwig AI examples that "retake" is frequently used in contexts involving territorial control or academic assessments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "retake" functions primarily as a transitive verb, signifying the act of taking something again, whether it be a territory, an exam, or a photograph. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news and formal business settings. While generally neutral in register, "retake" is most effective when used to describe the repetition of an action with the intention of improvement or recovery. Remember to use "retake" when the action is formal or strategic, rather than for abstract reconsiderations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reclaim

Implies recovering something lost or taken away, emphasizing the act of getting it back.

reacquire

Implies obtaining something again, often after a period of not having it.

regain

Highlights the recovery of something, such as control or territory.

recapture

Focuses on regaining possession, often through effort or force.

recover

Emphasizes the process of getting back something that was lost or taken.

re-film

Specifically refers to filming something again.

rephotograph

Specifically refers to photographing something again.

redo

Informal term for doing something again, often to improve it.

resume

Suggests restarting an activity or process.

repeat

Indicates doing something again, often in the same way as before.

FAQs

How is "retake" used in the context of exams or tests?

In the context of tests, "retake" means to take an exam again, usually to achieve a better score. For example, "I plan to retake the math exam to improve my grade".

What are some synonyms for "retake" when referring to regaining control?

When referring to regaining control of something, such as territory or power, synonyms for "retake" include "reclaim", "recapture", or "regain".

Is it appropriate to use "retake" in formal writing?

Yes, "retake" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when discussing military or political strategies. However, in some contexts, synonyms like "recover" or "reacquire" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "retake" and "redo"?

"Retake" often implies repeating something formally, like an exam or a military objective, while "redo" is generally more informal and suggests improving something by doing it again. For example, you retake a test but redo a drawing.