Cool MateHold vs Retain
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hold
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Retain
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Most common: Hold
| Hold | Retain | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/həʊld/","/həʊldz/","/held/","/ˈhəʊldɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/həʊld/","/həʊldz/","/held/","/ˈhəʊldɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //rɪˈteɪn//🇺🇸 //rɪˈteɪn// |
| Meaning | To have something in your hands or arms. | To keep or hold something. |
| Example | Please hold this book while I grab my bag. | It's important to retain information during exams. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | firmly, securely, tightly, commonly, widely, deeply | retain customers, retain information, retain control, retain talent |
| Antonyms | release, let go, drop | lose, discard, abandon |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'held' in past tense forms., Using 'hold' when referring to emotional support instead of 'support'., Mistakenly used as 'hold on' in formal writing. | Confused with 'retain' vs 'obtain'., Using 'retain' without an object., Misusing 'retain' in informal contexts. |
| Usage notes | Used in both formal and informal contexts. Avoid using it in very formal writing for physical holding; instead, use 'grasp' or 'clutch.' | Use 'retain' when discussing keeping information, objects, or qualities. It's more formal than 'keep'. Avoid in casual speech. |
Frequently asked questions: Hold vs Retain
What's the difference between Hold and Retain?
Hold: To have something in your hands or arms. Retain: To keep or hold something.
Which is more common: Hold and Retain?
Hold is the most common in everyday English.
Are Hold and Retain the same CEFR level?
Hold: A2, Retain: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Hold and Retain interchangeably?
Not always. Hold and Retain are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.