What is retain? Pronunciation and usage in English

Let's break down how to use the word "retain" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings, so understanding the context is key. Here's a breakdown with examples:

1. To Keep or Hold On To (Most Common Usage)

• Meaning: This is the most frequent use of "retain." It means to keep something, to continue to have it, or to hold onto it.
• Examples:
  • "I need to retain all of my important documents." (Keep them)
  • "The company hopes to retain its best employees." (Keep them from leaving)
  • "She decided to retain a lawyer to help her with the case." (Continue to hire a lawyer)
  • "We must retain a positive attitude, even in difficult situations." (Keep a positive attitude)
• Synonyms: keep, hold, preserve, maintain, conserve

2. To Keep (Specifically a Legal Right or Position)

• Meaning: This refers to the continuation of a legal right, position, or office. Often used in legal or formal contexts.
• Examples:
  • "The judge will retain the defendant in custody pending trial." (Keep the defendant in jail)
  • "The committee decided to retain the current chairman." (Continue the chairman in their role)
  • “The lease agreement retrains the tenant's right to live in the property." (Continues the right).

3. To Hold Back or Restrain

• Meaning: This usage describes the act of preventing something from leaving or escaping.
• Examples:
  • "The dam retains the water behind it." (Prevents the water from flowing out)
  • "The security guard retained the thief from escaping." (Prevented the thief from leaving)

4. (Less Common) To Keep a Feeling or Memory

• Meaning: This describes holding onto a particular emotion or a memory.
• Examples:
  • "He retains a vivid memory of his childhood home." (Keeps the memory strong)
  • “She retains a sense of gratitude for her support system.” (Holds onto the feeling of gratitude)

Key Phrases & Constructions:

• Retain + Object: This is the most common structure: “I retain the document.” “They retain their customers.”
• Retain + Clause: “The agreement retains that the company is responsible for damages.” (This means that the agreement continues to include that clause.)

Tips for Using "Retain" Correctly:

• Context is crucial: Pay close attention to the sentence and the overall topic to determine the intended meaning.
• Consider synonyms: Sometimes using a synonym (like “keep” or “hold”) can make your writing or speech clearer.
• Formal vs. Informal: “Retain” is generally considered a more formal word than “keep.”

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Resources for Further Learning:

• Merriam-Webster Dictionary: https://www.merriam-webster.com/word/retain
• Grammarly Blog - Retain vs. Keep: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/retain-vs-keep/

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

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• Can you provide a sentence where you're trying to use "retain"?