Remember it vs Retain

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Remember it

Top 2,000 (common)

Retain

Top 2,000 (common) B2 verb

	Remember it	Retain
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //rɪˈmɛmbər ɪt// 🇺🇸 //rɪˈmɛmbər ɪt//	🇬🇧 //rɪˈteɪn// 🇺🇸 //rɪˈteɪn//
Meaning	To recall something from memory.	To keep or hold something.
Example	Did you remember it was my birthday yesterday?	It's important to retain information during exams.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 2,000 (common)	Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level	-	B2
Part of speech		verb
Collocations	remember it well, forget to remember it, try to remember it, always remember it, please remember it	retain customers, retain information, retain control, retain talent
Antonyms	-	lose, discard, abandon
Common mistakes	Omitting 'it' when speaking or writing., Confusing with 'forget it' which has the opposite meaning., Using 'remembering it' incorrectly in past tense without context.	Confused with 'retain' vs 'obtain'., Using 'retain' without an object., Misusing 'retain' in informal contexts.
Usage notes	Use 'remember it' when referring to recalling specific details or memories. It's a common expression in conversation.	Use 'retain' when discussing keeping information, objects, or qualities. It's more formal than 'keep'. Avoid in casual speech.

See it in real clips

The Lord Of The Rings › The return of the king

He will remember it before the end.

Agatha Christies Poirot › S1 E1

I remember it from The Times.

The Lord Of The Rings › The return of the king

He will remember it before the end.

Agatha Christies Poirot › S1 E1

I remember it from The Times.

Remember it

Frequently asked questions: Remember it vs Retain

What's the difference between Remember it and Retain?

Remember it: To recall something from memory. Retain: To keep or hold something.

Can you show an example of each?

Remember it: Did you remember it was my birthday yesterday? Retain: It's important to retain information during exams.

Can I use Remember it and Retain interchangeably?

Not always. Remember it 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.