retrieving

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "retrieving" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of getting or bringing something back, often in the context of data or information. Example: "The system is retrieving the latest data from the server to display on the dashboard."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The schemata of experts are also highly interconnected, meaning that retrieving one piece of information easily leads to the retrieval of another piece.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Irish water spaniel, breed of sporting dog developed in Ireland in the 1830s for retrieving game; its ancestors were other curly coated water retrievers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Feedfetcher, meanwhile, relies on information that most web servers provide: how long the retrieved file should be stored, or "cached", before it discarding and retrieving a new copy.

The Economist

In general, "recognition memory" (involved in choosing the correct answer from a list) is more reliable than recall memory (retrieving information without any clue or hint that could assist in the retrieval).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Eric Illsley, now Labour MP for Barnsley Central, recalls NUM officials retrieving a map used as a blueprint for the 1974 strike.

The Guardian

"The importance of counting the dead and retrieving their bodies is universally acknowledged as a crucial step in acknowledging their loss and producing an account of their deaths," it says.

The Guardian

Related: Parthenon marbles are miracles of sculpture symbolic of Greek nationhood In an about-turn three months after Athens' radical-left Syriza party assumed power, the new Greek cultural minister Nikos Xydakis said the route to retrieving the treasures lay in diplomatic and political channels and not international courts where outcomes were far from assured.

The Guardian - Arts

Retrieving the phone from Nanni, he photographed himself in front of the Curva Sud, just about managing to squeeze his duck pout into the frame.

The Guardian - Sport

Other research confirms that practising retrieving information is one of the best ways to ensure you remember it.

The Guardian

A naval adventure called "U-571", which is currently showing in Britain, portrays American sailors retrieving an "Enigma" code machine from a German U-boat a feat which was in fact achieved by British sailors before America entered the second world war.

The Economist

Oil began to flow this month and the 9,000 workers of the North Oil Company received their overdue wages after American soldiers drilled a hole in the roof of a bank vault, retrieving around half a million dollars' worth of Iraqi dinars.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When "retrieving" data, specify the source to provide clarity and context. For example, "retrieving data from the server" is more informative than simply "retrieving data".

Common error

Avoid using "retrieving" with overly abstract or intangible subjects. Instead of "retrieving hope", consider alternatives like "finding hope" or "regaining hope" for better clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "retrieving" is as a present participle or gerund form of the verb "retrieve." It functions as a verb when used in continuous tenses and as a noun when used as a gerund. Ludwig AI confirms its accurate and usable status in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "retrieving" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a present participle or gerund, indicating the action of getting something back or accessing information. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in written English. It is commonly used across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific domains, making it suitable for both formal and neutral registers. When using "retrieving", it's beneficial to specify the source of what is being retrieved to enhance clarity. While "retrieving" is widely applicable, it's best to avoid using it with abstract subjects, opting for more fitting alternatives like "finding" or "regaining" for enhanced impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recovering

Implies getting something back, often after a loss or difficulty.

extracting

Focuses on taking something out or drawing it from a source.

accessing

Refers to gaining entry to or obtaining something, particularly data or information.

obtaining

Suggests acquiring or getting possession of something.

fetching

Implies going to get something and bringing it back.

recapturing

Specifically means capturing something again, often after it has been lost or taken.

reclaiming

Suggests getting something back that was previously lost or abandoned.

regaining

Implies getting something back, especially a quality or condition.

salvaging

Focuses on saving something from damage or loss.

recuperating

Relates to recovering from illness or exertion, a more specific type of retrieval.

FAQs

How can I use "retrieving" in a sentence about data?

You can say, "The system is "retrieving" the latest updates from the database" or "The application is designed for "retrieving" specific files efficiently".

What's a good synonym for "retrieving" in a technical context?

In a technical context, consider using "accessing", "extracting", or "obtaining" as alternatives to "retrieving", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "retrieving" in the context of memories?

Yes, "retrieving" is appropriate when discussing memories. For example, "Retrieving childhood memories can be triggered by familiar scents".

What's the difference between "retrieving" and "recovering"?

"Retrieving" generally means getting something back or accessing it, while ""recovering"" often implies getting something back after a loss or difficulty. You might "retrieve" data from a server, but you "recover" data after a system crash.