would be retained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "would be retained" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is expected to be kept or preserved in the future. Example: "If the proposal is approved, the current policies would be retained to ensure continuity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the rest of the army would be retained.

The New York Times

One would be retained by the General Services Administration, the other by Richard Nixon.

Cornell University

A further 171 bodies would be retained but substantially reformed, while 380 would be retained and 40 more were still under consideration.

The New York Times

In the past, coalition ministers have maintained that the Eurostar stake would be retained.

The Guardian

In this regime, formal parliamentary apparatuses would be retained even while substantive democracy was eroded.

The Guardian - Opinion

South Yorkshire police refused, saying the details would be retained "to aid criminal investigation".

The Guardian

A government proposal on the program said that the data would be retained for 50 years.

The New York Times

A fully independent Office for National Statistics, which gives important economic advice, would be retained.

The Guardian

Now just 24 of 153 powers would be retained in Westminster on a time-limited basis.

The Guardian

So only about a third of the original energy would be retained.

MIT Technology Review

Labour's heartland would shift to the Welsh valleys, where six seats would be retained.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "would be retained", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being kept or preserved and the reason for its retention. This adds clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "would be retained" when an active voice construction would be more direct and concise. For example, instead of "The old system would be retained by the company", consider "The company would retain the old system".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would be retained" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase indicating a conditional or future passive action. As evidenced by Ludwig, it specifies that something is expected or likely to be kept or preserved under certain conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

37%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "would be retained" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that indicates something is expected to be kept or preserved in the future. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. It commonly appears in news articles, scientific publications, and academic texts, signifying its broad applicability. When using this phrase, it's essential to provide clear context regarding what is being retained and why, to ensure clarity and impact. Alternatives such as "would be preserved" or "would be kept" can be used to add nuance or emphasis, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

would be preserved

Emphasizes the act of maintaining something in its original condition or state.

would be kept

A more general term for maintaining possession or control of something.

would be maintained

Suggests ongoing effort to keep something in a certain condition.

would be conserved

Implies careful management to prevent loss or waste.

would be sustained

Focuses on the ability to continue or uphold something over time.

would remain

Indicates that something will stay in its current state or location.

will be stored

Refers specifically to the act of keeping something for future use.

will be held

Implies temporary possession or control.

are to be kept

Expresses a directive or instruction for maintaining something.

will be safeguarded

Highlights the protection and preservation of something valuable.

FAQs

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

The phrase "would be retained" is used to indicate that something is expected to be kept or preserved in the future. For example, "If the proposal is approved, the current policies "would be retained" to ensure continuity."

What are some alternatives to using "would be retained"?

You can use alternatives such as "would be kept", "would be preserved", or "would be maintained" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "will be retained" instead of "would be retained"?

Both "will be retained" and ""would be retained"" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Will be retained" indicates a future certainty, while ""would be retained"" suggests a conditional or hypothetical situation.

What's the difference between "would be retained" and "should be retained"?

"Would be retained" indicates a future action that is likely or expected under certain circumstances. "Should be retained" expresses an opinion or recommendation about what ought to happen.