remain vs retain

Both 'remain' and 'retain' are correct words, but they have different meanings and usage. 'Remain' is used to indicate staying in the same place or condition, while 'retain' is used to mean keeping possession of something. They are not interchangeable as they convey different ideas.

Last updated: April 08, 2024 • 246 views

The word 'remain' is correct and commonly used in English to indicate staying in the same place or condition.

"remain"

Use 'remain' when you want to express the idea of staying in a particular place or state without changing.

Examples:

Please remain seated until the bus comes to a complete stop.
The old building remains a historical landmark in the city.
Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic about the future.

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Everything at Malpertuis must remain unchanged.
Our relationship must remain professional for all concerned.
All ships must remain at sea until further...
The past cannot remain buried forever.
Please remain calm and everything's...
Most crimes remain unsolved unless someone talks.
The brains remain hardwired for music.
Everyone please remain where you are.
Follow their instructions and remain calm.
But the other paths remain targets.
None of the ancient bloodline remain.
Still deep divisions remain, and the struggle for reconciliation continues.
His whereabouts however remain a mystery.
Individuals vary, percentages remain constant.
Obey treaty stipulations and remain outside the neutral zone.
Please remain in scanners until cleared.
Only the circumstances remain in question.
Until we get some answers all possibilities remain open.
Until we get some answers all possibilities remain open.
All non-essential personnel and guests please remain where you are.

Alternatives:

stay
continue to be
keep on being
persist
linger

The word 'retain' is correct and commonly used in English to mean keeping possession of something.

"retain"

Use 'retain' when you want to express the idea of keeping or holding onto something, such as information, control, or ownership.

Examples:

She decided to retain ownership of the family business.
It is important to retain key information from the training session.
The company aims to retain its position as a market leader.

Show examples from the web [+]

We were seated to retain our sovereignty.
Member States should retain full control of their borders.
The Greek world tried to retain property in families.
Kelly Parker may well retain her title.
This allows it to retain all its nourishment.
It's for composting, which helps soil retain water and nutrients.
Let your life retain some mystery.
Individuals usually retain typical mental and motor development.
Metallic foams typically retain some physical properties of their base material.
Buildings and architecture in Beja still retain many Roman influences.
Please retain this manual for future reference.
That's how they retain authority.
They retain the right to sell outside this structure.
Appropriations under Category 1 must retain their compulsory nature.
The European Union must retain its global competitiveness.
And its core features retain the essentials.
Infrastructure managers should however retain the possibility to reserve capacity.
Milk can effectively retain youthful-looking skin.
Paints flow extremely well and retain their luminosity.
Allows hair to retain the crease longer.

Alternatives:

keep
hold onto
maintain
preserve
keep possession of

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