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Unlike ‘maintain’ or ‘sustain,’ it does not concern satisfying a specific standard or level. Instead, it simply means keeping something the way it is and not making any changes. Sometimes, it means continuing to have or hold something. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, ‘retain’ means: to keep or continue to have something, or
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BetaMaintain, sustain, and retain are three words that look similar and sound similar, but they hold different meanings and uses. Getting them mixed up is easy, especially for those new to the English language. This article aims to clear up the confusion. First off, knowing how to use these words correctly can make a big difference in your writing and speaking.
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BetaMaintain and retain are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they actually have distinct meanings and implications. While both involve keeping something in a certain condition, the approaches and outcomes of maintaining and retaining can differ significantly.
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BetaDefinition: (v. t.) To hold or keep in any particular state or condition; to support; to sustain; to uphold; to keep up; not to suffer to fail or decline; as, to maintain a certain degree of heat in a furnace; to maintain a fence or a railroad; to maintain the digestive process or powers of the stomach; to maintain the fertility of soil; to maintain present reputation.
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BetaMaintaining a document means that the document must be kept and also kept up to date. ... So there you have it – the difference between “maintain” and “retain”. Only a few letters, ...
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BetaMaintain can mean to keep something in working order or to hold onto something, even an opinion that is challenged. So a mechanic can maintain a car. A politician can maintain that a particular policy will work. Retain means to hold on to something, often something that can be renewed.
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BetaAnd English got “retain” from the Anglo-Norman retener in the early 1400s, when it meant to restrain, prevent, or hinder. Note: After reading this post, a reader comments, “Perhaps it is just the teacher in me, but I view retain with more negative connotations than maintain. Retain is holding back, while maintain is holding up.
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Beta'Maintain' is commonly used to mean to keep something in a certain state or condition, while 'retain' is often used to mean to keep possession of something or to keep something ... Politicians advocate armament as a means to maintain peace. Have the copter maintain visual contact. Also helps maintain continuity within the agency ...
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BetaSynonym for retain retain is to keep something for example. I will retain that information. maintain is to look after something. For example I will maintain the garden. I hope this helps.
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BetaRetain has more the idea of keep. You should retain your tickets for inspection. These are only some meanings. I’m sure other people will have other ideas. Maintained and retained work in the first OP sentence. Retained is better in the second. Maintain sounds more active. It has more the idea of someone making an effort.
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