retrieve for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retrieve for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating the action of getting or bringing something back for someone or for a specific purpose. Example: "Please retrieve for me the documents I left on your desk."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

But that would also make it harder to retrieve for legitimate purposes.

The New York Times

Your memory works in the quiet apartment — in silence, systematically, you struggle to retrieve for an instant your painful century.

The New Yorker

There's even another Klimt, Portrait of Amalie Zuckerkandl, which Schoenberg is trying to retrieve for Altmann's estate.

Princeton University

"To me Debbie was like Daisy in 'The Great Gatsby' — a loss that you work to retrieve for the rest of your life.

The New York Times

The first is in 1938, when Ernst, a courier for the German government, arrives in Rome to retrieve for Hitler a famous marble statue of a discus thrower.

The New York Times - Books

But it is possible to retrieve for the new new Times Square some of what's been unnecessarily lost from its past without indulging in nostalgic fantasies or sacrificing the gains of the late 90's.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Samplessults about thaveossibeenoretrievedthe impactors are provided by the chemical identiforation of particlaboratorys inside the cranalysis

Advances in Space Research

Valid HPV genotyping data was retrieved for 2850 cases (97%).

Nature

Eighty-three potentinhibitorstors for Chk2 are retrieved for further study.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters

Pilon also seemed astonished that the puck, which his teammates retrieved for him, had gone in.

The New York Times - Sports

Results are retrieved for the winter solstice (January and December 2009) conditions.

Advances in Space Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "retrieve for", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what the item is being retrieved for. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "retrieve for" in overly complex sentences where simpler verbs like "get" or "fetch" would be more effective. Clarity trumps formality in most contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retrieve for" functions as a purpose connector, indicating that an action of retrieval is being done with a specific intention or beneficiary in mind. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

31%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "retrieve for" is a grammatically correct phrase that functions as a purpose connector, commonly used to express obtaining something for a specific reason or person. Ludwig's AI confirms its correctness. While versatile, it finds frequent use in scientific, academic, and news contexts. When using "retrieve for", consider the formality of the situation and ensure that the purpose or beneficiary is clearly stated. For more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "get for" or "fetch for" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get for

A simpler and more direct way to express obtaining something for someone.

fetch for

Implies a quick and less formal retrieval of something for someone.

obtain for

A more formal alternative, emphasizing the acquisition process.

secure for

Highlights the effort involved in ensuring something is obtained for someone.

acquire for

Focuses on the act of gaining possession of something for a purpose.

collect for

Suggests gathering multiple items for a specific reason or person.

find for

Emphasizes the act of locating something that is needed.

recover for

Implies retrieving something that was lost or misplaced.

bring back for

Highlights the act of returning something after it was taken away.

extract for

Suggests carefully removing or obtaining something from a larger context.

FAQs

How can I use "retrieve for" in a sentence?

Use "retrieve for" when you want to express obtaining something on behalf of someone or for a particular reason. For example, "Can you retrieve the file for me?"

What is a simple substitute for "retrieve for"?

You can use alternatives like "get for" or "fetch for", which are less formal but convey the same meaning.

When is it appropriate to use "retrieve for" instead of "get for"?

"Retrieve for" is more suitable in formal or technical contexts. If the situation is casual, "get for" is usually adequate.

Is there a difference between "retrieve for" and "recover for"?

"Retrieve for" suggests obtaining something, while "recover for" implies regaining something lost. They aren't interchangeable; the right choice depends on whether the item was previously lost.