Cool MateRetrieve vs We need to take you in
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Retrieve
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
We need to take you in
Top 2,000 (common)
| Retrieve | We need to take you in | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈtriːv/","/rɪˈtriːvz/","/rɪˈtriːvd/","/rɪˈtriːvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈtriːv/","/rɪˈtriːvz/","/rɪˈtriːvd/","/rɪˈtriːvɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //wiː niːd tə teɪk juː ɪn//🇺🇸 //wi nid tə teɪk ju ɪn// |
| Meaning | To get something back that was lost or kept away. | We need to bring you to a place. |
| Example | She bent to retrieve her comb from the floor. | The doctor said, 'We need to take you in for tests.' |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | retrieve data, retrieve information, retrieve a memory, retrieve a document | take someone in custody, take someone in for questioning, take someone in case of emergency |
| Antonyms | discard, lose | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'receipt' — they have different meanings., Using 'retrieve' with inanimate objects, when it’s often used with information or data., Omitting the object; 'retrieve' must be followed by what is being retrieved. | Confused with 'take in' which means to understand., Using 'take you on' when meaning to bring someone in. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in formal contexts, especially in technology and data discussions. Less appropriate in casual conversation unless discussing physical retrieval. | This phrase is often used in contexts like police or medical situations, usually implying escorting or admitting someone for their benefit or safety. |
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Frequently asked questions: Retrieve vs We need to take you in
What's the difference between Retrieve and We need to take you in?
Retrieve: To get something back that was lost or kept away. We need to take you in: We need to bring you to a place.
Can you show an example of each?
Retrieve: She bent to retrieve her comb from the floor. We need to take you in: The doctor said, 'We need to take you in for tests.'
Can I use Retrieve and We need to take you in interchangeably?
Not always. Retrieve and We need to take you in 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.