retrieve it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retrieve it" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the action of getting something back or recovering an item or information. Example: "Please retrieve it from the storage room and bring it to my office."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Then it floats to the surface, where the researchers retrieve it and download its data.

The New York Times - Science

Divers had to retrieve it.

The New York Times - Sports

Moving slowly, I retrieve it.

The Guardian - Travel

Her agent commanded her to retrieve it.

The Guardian

Somehow he has to retrieve it.

The Guardian - Film

Should I have jumped to retrieve it myself?

The New York Times

I hope one day I can come to retrieve it".

The New York Times

Unimpressed, his coach commands him to retrieve it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

When he tries to retrieve it next evening, it's gone.

The New Yorker

The natives retrieve it and hand it back to him.

The New Yorker

Left fielder Brian Daubach raced to retrieve it and slipped.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "retrieve it", ensure the context clearly indicates what "it" refers to, avoiding ambiguity for the reader. For example, instead of "The data was lost; we need to retrieve it", specify: "The lost sales data needs to be retrieved from the backup server."

Common error

While "retrieve it" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in informal settings. Simpler alternatives like "get it back" or "fetch it" might sound more natural in casual conversations.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "retrieve it" is as a verb phrase, where "retrieve" is the verb and "it" is the direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in English, showing its purpose is to recover some 'thing' from a place or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "retrieve it" is a grammatically sound and widely used verb phrase that describes the act of recovering or obtaining something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, showing that "retrieve it" is appropriate for various contexts, ranging from retrieving data to physical objects. It maintains a generally neutral tone and is prevalent across news, media, and scientific domains. While versatile, consider using more informal alternatives like "get it back" in casual settings. The related phrases provided offer options to fine-tune your expression based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fetch it

Implies going to get something and bringing it back.

collect it

Emphasizes gathering or assembling something that may be dispersed.

pick it up

Focuses on the physical act of picking something up.

reclaim it

Highlights the act of regaining possession or ownership.

regain it

Focuses on getting something back, often after a loss.

recuperate it

Suggests recovering something lost or damaged.

recoup it

Suggests recovering something, especially a loss or expense.

extract it

Emphasizes taking something out or removing it from something else.

remove it

Indicates taking something away, often to a different location.

revive it

Implies bringing something back to a usable or active state.

FAQs

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

You can use "retrieve it" when referring to the action of getting something back or recovering an item or information. For example, "Please retrieve it from the storage room and bring it to my office."

What can I say instead of "retrieve it"?

You can use alternatives like "pick it up", "fetch it", or "collect it" depending on the context.

Is "retrieve it" formal or informal?

"Retrieve it" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally perceived as slightly more formal than alternatives like "get it back".

What's the difference between "retrieve it" and "get it back"?

"Retrieve it" is often used when something needs to be actively recovered or fetched from a specific location, whereas "get it back" is a more general term for regaining possession of something.