should be retained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be retained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a recommendation or suggestion that something should not be altered or changed. For example: "This particular sentence structure should be retained in the final draft of the essay."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They should be retained, within financial reason.

The New York Times - Sports

Which Bush tax cuts should be retained, if any?

The New York Times

It believes records should be retained for as long as possible.

The Guardian - Business

What bits of the Standard Model, if any, should be retained?

The Guardian

Decide which parts of your brand still have value and should be retained.

The Guardian

If personal information is collected, it should be retained no longer than is absolutely necessary.

The Guardian - Opinion

Some parents had agreed to minor biopsies but had not agreed that organs should be retained.

The Guardian

The free agents Mike Stanton and Ramiro Mendoza are solid relievers who should be retained.

The New York Times - Sports

The current local authority scrutiny committees are valuable and should be retained.

The Guardian - Opinion

Clinical commissioning should be retained but without the oversight of these market regulators.

The Guardian - Opinion

He is fighting to convince his own employers that he should be retained beyond the finals.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about policies or procedures, use "should be retained" to clearly state which elements must remain unchanged for consistency and compliance.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on passive constructions like "should be retained" in all sentences. Vary sentence structure by using active voice where appropriate to improve clarity and engagement. For instance, instead of "The original design should be retained", consider "We should retain the original design".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be retained" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a recommendation or requirement that something remains in its current state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in written English, suggesting a non-alteration stance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

36%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "should be retained" is a versatile phrase used to express the necessity or advisability of maintaining something in its current form. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently employed across various domains. It is particularly prevalent in formal and professional contexts, such as news articles, scientific publications, and academic papers. While there are numerous alternatives to the phrase, such as "must be maintained" or "ought to be preserved", the choice depends heavily on the intended level of formality and the specific nuance required. When using "should be retained", be mindful of overusing passive voice and consider active voice alternatives for improved clarity and directness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ought to be maintained

Replaces "should" with "ought to", indicating a sense of duty or moral obligation.

must be preserved

Substitutes "retained" with "preserved", emphasizing the importance of keeping something in its original condition.

needs to be kept

Uses a more informal tone with "needs to be kept" instead of "should be retained".

has to be conserved

Replaces "retained" with "conserved", highlighting the careful management and preservation of something.

is required to be upheld

Emphasizes a formal necessity or legal requirement for maintaining something.

has to be sustained

Highlights maintaining the item for a certain time period.

should be upheld

Focuses on supporting or defending a decision or law.

needs to be continued

Replaces "retained" with "continued", focusing on ongoing action.

is advisable to maintain

Indicates a recommended course of action rather than a strict necessity.

should be safeguarded

Emphasizes the need to protect something from harm or loss.

FAQs

How can I use "should be retained" in a sentence?

Use "should be retained" to indicate that something is worth keeping or maintaining, for example: "This clause "should be retained" in the updated contract".

What are some alternatives to "should be retained"?

Alternatives include "should be preserved", "must be maintained", or "ought to be kept". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it better to say "should be retained" or "should be kept"?

"Should be retained" and "should be kept" are similar, but "should be retained" often implies a more formal or deliberate decision to maintain something in its current state. "Should be kept" is less formal and may imply a more general sense of holding onto something.

What does "should be retained" mean in the context of data management?

In data management, "should be retained" means that certain data "should be preserved" and not deleted or altered. This might be due to legal requirements, historical significance, or ongoing research needs.