who retained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "who retained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to someone who has kept or maintained possession of something, often in a legal or formal context. Example: "The lawyer represented the client who retained her services for the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Farmers who retained their land were burdened by debt.

The Guardian

Those who retained the least had slept less deeply.

The Economist

Goins called his boss, Derek Grewcock, who retained criminal lawyer, Arnold J. Kaplan.

The New Yorker

Northern Alliance officials who retained their titles under the new administration ignored the complaints.

The New York Times

He was the rare creator who retained the rights to his character.

The New York Times

Mr. Atkins was a tall, slender man who retained his childhood reticence.

The New York Times

Esaki, who retained his Japanese citizenship, later returned to his home country.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And there was another for Australia's Jessicah Schipper, who retained her 200m butterfly title.

Independent

The Ravens instead hired John Harbaugh, who retained Ryan as defensive coordinator and promoted him to assistant head coach.

The New York Times

The unions and GetUp also targeted the immigration minister, Peter Dutton, and George Christensen in Queensland, who retained their seats.

The Guardian

His after show parties went on for days and were legendary among those who retained any recollection of them.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "who retained", ensure the subject clearly maintained something, whether it's a position, title, or physical object. This clarity avoids ambiguity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "who retained" when the subject merely encountered something briefly, rather than keeping it over a significant period. Use alternative phrases like "who encountered" or "who experienced" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "who retained" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or pronoun by providing additional information about a person or entity that kept possession of something. As Ludwig examples show, it's used to describe people who held onto titles, positions, properties, or qualities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

15%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "who retained" is a relative clause used to describe someone or something that maintained possession of a title, position, or object. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts. While suitable for both formal and informal writing, its most common applications are in news media, encyclopedias and wiki sources. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject truly maintained something over a period and consider alternatives like "who kept" or "who maintained" for simpler phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

who kept

Replaces "retained" with a simpler synonym, focusing on maintaining possession.

who maintained

Emphasizes the act of upholding or preserving something.

who held onto

Suggests a strong desire to keep something, often against challenges.

who preserved

Focuses on maintaining something in its original condition.

who secured

Highlights the act of making something safe or certain to keep.

who possessed

Indicates ownership or control.

who guarded

Implies protection and careful maintenance.

who clung to

Suggests a desperate attempt to keep something.

who sustained

Focuses on the act of supporting or upholding something over time.

who conserved

Highlights the careful management and preservation of resources or qualities.

FAQs

How can I use "who retained" in a sentence?

Use "who retained" to describe someone who kept or maintained possession of something. For example: "The athlete "who retained his title" is an inspiration."

What are some alternatives to "who retained"?

You can use phrases like "who kept", "who maintained", or "who held onto" depending on the context.

Is "who retained" formal or informal?

"Who retained" is suitable for both formal and informal writing, although alternatives like "who kept" might be preferred in very casual contexts.

What's the difference between "who retained" and "who obtained"?

"Who retained" implies keeping something already possessed, while "who obtained" suggests gaining something new. For example, someone "who retained ownership" already had it, whereas someone who obtained ownership acquired it.