they are retained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "they are retained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that is kept or held onto, often in a formal or legal context. Example: "The documents are important, and they are retained for future reference."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hemoglobin molecules have high affinity to gases as CO or CO2; therefore, if they are retained they should work as an efficient retainer and catalyst.

Catalysis Today

"They can be unscrupulous, biased, if they are retained by the mortgage broker or the sales broker.

The New York Times

"If they are retained, then they'll have to go through the clearance process and will be produced to all parties," Gormly told the inquest on Wednesday.

The Guardian

They are retained together in this classification as the Holostei chiefly because emerging molecular data suggest that there is a close relationship between them.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The hydrogen bonds between hydrogen fluoride molecules are considerably weaker (7 kilocalories per mole) than those within the molecules (135 kilocalories per mole), yet they are retained to a great extent in the liquid state.

Britannica

I suggest that real changes on overall Chapter 11 costs could be achieved by consideration of the retention choices made by corporate debtors, and by better division of duties among professionals and law firms once they are retained.

The New York Times

In some species flight feathers of the wing and tail are molted before the fall migration; in others they are retained through the fall migration and molted on the wintering grounds.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Librarians should ask vendors to publish privacy policies that tell researchers what records are collected and how long they are retained, and encourage development of software that will give patrons copies of their records that are compatible with leading research management software.

Cornell University

The critical news reports and lawsuits may help explain why, in the language of medical journals, surgical tools sewn up inside people are not lost, forgotten or left behind; rather, they are "retained," almost as if the patient had chosen to hang onto them.

The New York Times - Health

Part preservationists, part experts and part sleuths, Ms. Drobbin and Mr. Moroz have the job of identifying the finest architectural details of historic buildings and structures, and then finding ways to make sure they are retained or restored when the structures are renovated.

The New York Times

Regardless of how larvae do it, the evidence that they are retained locally may result in a rethinking of how to manage fish stocks and design preserves, said Dr. James Bohnsack, a research biologist with the National Marine Fisheries Service in South Florida.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they are retained" when you want to emphasize that something is deliberately kept or held onto for a specific reason, often with a formal or technical connotation.

Common error

Avoid using "they are retained" in casual conversation or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "they are kept" or "they are held" are often more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are retained" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something is being kept or held by an unspecified agent. Ludwig AI examples confirm its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they are retained" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction. Ludwig AI confirms it is commonly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedic contexts, conveying a sense of preservation or deliberate holding. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal writing, with simpler alternatives preferred in casual settings. Use it to emphasize that something is deliberately kept for a particular purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are kept

Uses a more common synonym for "retained", making it slightly less formal.

they are preserved

Implies a deliberate effort to maintain something in its original state.

they are maintained

Focuses on the ongoing effort to keep something in good condition.

they are held

A simpler and more general term for keeping something.

they are stored

Specifically indicates that something is put away for future use.

they are safeguarded

Emphasizes the protection of something from harm or loss.

they are conserved

Highlights the careful use of resources to avoid waste.

they are secured

Implies that something is made safe and protected from theft or damage.

they are stockpiled

Suggests a large accumulation of something for future use.

they are archived

Indicates that something is systematically stored for historical or research purposes.

FAQs

How can I use "they are retained" in a sentence?

Use "they are retained" to indicate that something is kept or held for a specific purpose. For example, "The documents "they are retained" for future reference".

What's the difference between "they are retained" and "they are kept"?

"They are retained" is more formal and suggests a deliberate decision to keep something, often for a specific or technical reason. "They are kept" is a more general and informal alternative.

What can I say instead of "they are retained"?

You can use alternatives like "they are preserved", "they are maintained", or "they are held" depending on the context.

Is "they are retained" grammatically correct?

Yes, "they are retained" is grammatically correct. It's a passive voice construction using the verb "retain".