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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
was not retained
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "was not retained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something was not kept, preserved, or maintained, such as in discussions about data, information, or memories. Example: "The information provided during the meeting was not retained for future reference."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Science
Wiki
Encyclopedias
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Domenech was not retained as coach.
News & Media
But the company was not retained to do yearly monitoring, said John Fremer, Caveon's president.
News & Media
Riek Machar, who had served as Kiir's vice president, was not retained.
Encyclopedias
John Franco assumed the responsibility for several years until he was not retained after the 2004 season.
News & Media
Steve Smith was not retained as third-base coach, and Jimy Williams chose not to return as bench coach.
News & Media
Rice spent 11 years as a U.N.L.V. assistant but was not retained when Lon Kruger was hired in 2004.
News & Media
Lambda-cyhalothrin was not retained by GCB, while many interfering matrix compounds were removed.
For example, the diagnostic criteria of Proulx include gastrointestinal dysfunction, which was not retained by Goldstein.
Science
Interestingly, lactate was not retained in the novel qSOFA during model construction.
Science
The Home Office has faced calls to explain why the material was not "retained" by officials.
News & Media
The Home Office has faced calls to explain why the dossier was "not retained" by officials.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "was not retained", ensure the context clearly indicates what was not kept and why. For instance, specify if it was a person, data, or a particular characteristic.
Common error
Avoid using "was not retained" with plural subjects. Ensure subject-verb agreement by using "were not retained" for plural subjects.
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "was not retained" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject did not undergo the action of being kept or maintained. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples across various contexts.
Frequent in
Science
38%
News & Media
29%
Wiki
16%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
5%
Formal & Business
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "was not retained" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates something was not kept or preserved. Ludwig AI examples show its prevalence across News & Media, Scientific, Wiki, and Encyclopedic contexts. While versatile, it's important to ensure subject-verb agreement. Alternatives include "was not kept", "was not preserved", and "was not maintained", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English, making it a reliable option for expressing a lack of retention.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
was not kept
Focuses on the simple act of not holding or maintaining something.
was not preserved
Emphasizes the lack of effort to maintain something in its original state.
was not maintained
Highlights the absence of ongoing upkeep or support.
was not continued
Indicates a cessation or interruption of something that was previously in progress.
was not upheld
Suggests a failure to support or defend something.
was not supported
Emphasizes the lack of assistance or backing for something.
was not renewed
Focuses specifically on the failure to extend or prolong something.
was not chosen
Highlights that something was not selected or preferred.
was not selected
Emphasizes the lack of selecting something for further action.
was dropped
A more concise way of saying something was eliminated.
FAQs
How can I use "was not retained" in a sentence?
You can use "was not retained" to indicate that something was not kept or preserved. For example, "The employee "was not retained" after the merger" or "The original data "was not retained" during the data migration process".
What are some alternatives to "was not retained"?
Some alternatives include "was not kept", "was not preserved", "was not maintained", or "was not continued", depending on the specific context.
Is it better to use "was not retained" or "were not retained"?
"Was not retained" is used with singular nouns or uncountable nouns, while "were not retained" is used with plural nouns. For example, "The file "was not retained"" versus "The files "were not retained"".
What's the difference between "was not retained" and "was not kept"?
While similar, "was not retained" often implies a more formal or deliberate decision not to keep something, whereas "was not kept" is a more general term for something not being held or maintained. For example "The consultant "was not retained"" and "The information "was not kept"".
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
82%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested