What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
retained
Example
The company retained its top employees by offering better benefits. [retained: verb]
Example
The lawyer advised his client to retain the original copy of the contract. [retain: verb]
maintain
Example
It's important to maintain your car regularly to avoid breakdowns. [maintain: verb]
Example
The school strives to maintain high academic standards for its students. [maintain: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Maintain is more commonly used than retained in everyday language. Maintain is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while retained is less common and refers to a specific type of keeping.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between retained and maintain?
Both retained and maintain are formal words that can be used in professional or academic contexts.
