were not retained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were not retained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something was not kept or preserved, often in contexts related to data, information, or physical items. Example: "The documents were not retained after the audit, leading to complications in the review process."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Interestingly, these variables were not retained when modelling the unadjusted densities.

Biological Conservation

Questions remain about why the 11 dismissed dancers were not retained after Ms. Gielgud departed and who made that decision.

The New York Times - Arts

"We were not retained to characterize the transactions or interpret their legal meaning," Mr. Winans, the Promontory spokesman, said.

The New York Times

An assumption of suicide meant vital forensic and ballistics tests were not conducted and crucial items such as the bullet fragments and her clothing were not retained.

The Guardian

Aguirre, Suhr and George Glymph were not retained as coaches, although Glymph and Suhr could remain with the team in other roles.

The New York Times

Gucci also said that the options were distributed to some 80 employees, and were not retained soley for Mr. de Sole and Mr. Ford.

The New York Times

However it was clearly an unusual case - whether a special favour or an example of a growing backlog - so it is surprising that documents were not retained.

The Guardian

But their services were not retained by the Ministry of Transport, which is why the continuing modifications to the road signs are a thorn in Calvert's meticulous side.

The Guardian - Arts

The resulting VCF files were converted to PLINK (ped and map) format file using vcftools_0.1.13 and bi-allelic SNPs were considered (indels were not retained).

Nature

The developed methodology was highly selective towards As III), while As V), monomethylarsonic acid [MMA V)] and dimethylarsinic [DMA V)] were not retained in the AC-modified KR.

Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy

The documents that were not retained from a MUI appear to be items gathered before it closed, including trading records, interview notes and accounting documents.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "were not retained", ensure the context clearly indicates what was not kept, and why. This prevents ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the implications of the omission.

Common error

Avoid using "were not retained" without clearly specifying what the subject is. For example, instead of saying "The samples were not retained", specify "The blood samples collected during the study were not retained for further analysis" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were not retained" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that a subject did not keep or maintain something. It is used to convey the action of not preserving or keeping something, with the focus on the object that was not kept.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

31%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were not retained" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction, predominantly found in scientific, news, and academic contexts. As Ludwig AI highlights, it serves to communicate that something was not kept or preserved. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure you specify what exactly was not retained to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "were discarded" or "were not kept" can offer slight variations in meaning. Its presence across diverse and authoritative sources confirms its suitability for formal and neutral communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were not kept

A simple and direct alternative, focusing on the absence of maintaining possession.

were not preserved

Emphasizes the lack of actions taken to maintain something in its original condition.

were not maintained

Suggests a failure to continue the upkeep or preservation of something.

were discarded

Indicates a deliberate act of getting rid of something considered useless or unwanted; implies a more active removal.

were eliminated

Highlights the removal of something, often to improve efficiency or clarity.

were not saved

Implies that something was lost or allowed to disappear due to lack of effort or action.

were excluded

Focuses on the act of preventing something from being included or considered.

were rejected

Highlights that something was turned down or refused, implying a decision against it.

were not upheld

Focuses on failure to maintain or support something as it should be.

were not conserved

Emphasizes the lack of protection and careful management of resources or information.

FAQs

How can I use "were not retained" in a sentence?

You can use "were not retained" to indicate that something was not kept or preserved. For example, "The original documents "were not retained" after the audit" or "The initial findings "were not retained" in the final report".

What can I say instead of "were not retained"?

Alternatives include "were discarded", "were not kept", or "were eliminated" depending on the specific context. Each carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits your intended meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "were not retained"?

Yes, "were not retained" is grammatically correct. It uses the passive voice to indicate that something was not kept or preserved by someone or something.

What's the difference between "were not retained" and "were not preserved"?

"Were not retained" generally means something was not kept. "Were not preserved" implies a failure to maintain something in its original condition or quality. "Were not preserved" suggests an active effort to maintain something that was unsuccessful or not undertaken.