Detain vs Retain: Unraveling Commonly Confused Terms

Have you ever found yourself confused about whether to use detain or retain in a sentence? While these two words may sound similar, they have different meanings and uses. In this article, we will explore the differences between detain and retain, and provide examples to help you use them correctly.

Detain and retain are both verbs, but they have distinct definitions. Detain means to keep someone in custody or to delay someone’s progress. Retain means to keep something or someone in one’s possession or to remember something.

So, which one is the proper word to use? The answer depends on the context of the sentence. If you want to describe holding someone against their will, then detain is the correct word. On the other hand, if you want to describe keeping something or someone in your possession, then retain is the appropriate choice.

Throughout the rest of this article, we will dive deeper into the meanings of detain and retain, explore their usage in different contexts, and provide examples to help you understand how to use them correctly.

Define Detain

Detain is a verb that refers to the act of holding someone or something in custody, usually by legal authority or force. It can also mean to delay or keep someone from leaving a place or situation.

For example, if a person is suspected of a crime, they may be detained by law enforcement for questioning. Similarly, a package may be detained at customs if it contains prohibited items. In both cases, the detainment is temporary and the person or item will eventually be released or allowed to proceed.

Define Retain

Retain is a verb that means to keep or hold onto something, often for an extended period of time. It can also mean to maintain possession or control of something.

For instance, a company may retain the services of a consultant to provide ongoing advice and support. A lawyer may retain a client’s documents for safekeeping. In both cases, the idea of retention is to keep something in one’s possession or control for a specific purpose or period of time.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to using the words “detain” and “retain” in a sentence, it is important to understand the meaning and context of each word. In this section, we will explore the proper usage of these words and provide examples to help clarify their meanings.

How To Use “Detain” In A Sentence

“Detain” refers to the act of holding someone or something back, often against their will. Here are some examples of how to use “detain” in a sentence:

• The police officer had to detain the suspect for questioning.
• The airport security guard detained the passenger for carrying a prohibited item.
• The teacher had to detain the student after class for disruptive behavior.

As you can see, “detain” is typically used in situations where someone is being held back or prevented from leaving.

How To Use “Retain” In A Sentence

“Retain,” on the other hand, refers to the act of keeping or holding onto something. Here are some examples of how to use “retain” in a sentence:

• The company was able to retain its top employees by offering competitive salaries.
• It is important to retain important documents for legal purposes.
• The athlete worked hard to retain his title as champion.

As you can see, “retain” is typically used in situations where something is being kept or held onto.

By understanding the meanings and contexts of these words, you can use them properly in your writing and communication.

More Examples Of Detain & Retain Used In Sentences

In order to further understand the difference between “detain” and “retain”, it’s important to see them used in context. Below are examples of how each word can be used in a sentence.

Examples Of Using “Detain” In A Sentence

• The police officer had to detain the suspect for questioning.
• The security guard was instructed to detain anyone who tried to enter the building without proper identification.
• The immigration officer had the authority to detain individuals who did not have the proper documentation to enter the country.
• The airline had to detain the passengers on the flight until the storm passed.
• The teacher had to detain the student after class to discuss their behavior.
• The military had the power to detain individuals who were suspected of being a threat to national security.
• The customs officer had to detain the package for further inspection.
• The judge decided to detain the defendant until the trial was over.
• The store security had to detain the shoplifter until the police arrived.
• The border patrol had to detain the group of migrants who attempted to cross the border illegally.

Examples Of Using “Retain” In A Sentence

• The company wanted to retain its employees by offering better benefits.
• The lawyer advised his client to retain a copy of all important documents.
• The athlete was able to retain his title as the world champion.
• The company was able to retain its customers by providing excellent customer service.
• The singer was able to retain her high note for an impressive amount of time.
• The company decided to retain the services of a marketing agency to help boost sales.
• The artist was able to retain the originality of his work despite the influence of other artists.
• The company was able to retain its position as the industry leader by constantly innovating.
• The scientist was able to retain the integrity of his research by following strict protocols.
• The company was able to retain its profits even during a recession.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words “detain” and “retain,” people often make the mistake of using them interchangeably. However, these two words have distinct meanings, and using them incorrectly can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Mistake #1: Using “Detain” Instead Of “Retain”

Detain means to keep someone in custody or under arrest, while retain means to keep something in one’s possession or to continue to use someone’s services. For example:

• Incorrect: The company decided to detain the services of their lawyer.
• Correct: The company decided to retain the services of their lawyer.

Using “detain” in this context implies that the lawyer is being held against their will, which is not the intended meaning.

Mistake #2: Using “Retain” Instead Of “Detain”

Retain means to keep something in one’s possession, while detain means to keep someone in custody or under arrest. For example:

• Incorrect: The police decided to retain the suspect for questioning.
• Correct: The police decided to detain the suspect for questioning.

Using “retain” in this context implies that the suspect is willingly staying with the police, which is not the intended meaning.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

To avoid these common mistakes, it’s important to understand the meanings of both words and use them appropriately. Here are some tips:

• Think about the context in which the word is being used.
• If you’re unsure, consult a dictionary or thesaurus to confirm the correct usage.
• Proofread your writing to ensure that you’re using the correct word.

By following these tips, you can avoid common mistakes and use “detain” and “retain” correctly in your writing.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing between the words “detain” and “retain,” context plays a crucial role. The meaning of both words is quite different, and choosing the wrong one can lead to confusion and misunderstanding. In this section, we will explore how the context in which these words are used can affect their meaning.

Detain

“Detain” is a verb that means to keep someone in custody or to hold them back from leaving. It is often used in the context of law enforcement or immigration. For example, a police officer might detain a suspect for questioning, or a border control officer might detain someone who is trying to enter the country illegally.

However, “detain” can also be used in a more general sense to mean to keep someone or something in one place. For example, a teacher might detain a student after class to discuss their performance, or a company might detain a shipment of goods due to a problem with the product.

Retain

“Retain,” on the other hand, means to keep something in one’s possession or to keep something in place. It is often used in the context of business or legal agreements. For example, a company might retain the services of a lawyer to handle a legal matter, or a customer might retain ownership of a product after purchasing it.

However, “retain” can also be used in a more general sense to mean to keep something in one’s memory or to remember something. For example, a student might retain information from a lecture in order to pass a test, or a musician might retain a melody in their head in order to write a song.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts in which the choice between “detain” and “retain” might change:

• In a legal context, “detain” is often used to refer to holding someone in custody, while “retain” is often used to refer to keeping the services of a lawyer or other legal professional.
• In a business context, “retain” is often used to refer to keeping ownership of a product or service, while “detain” might be used to refer to holding a shipment of goods due to a problem with the product.
• In a personal context, “retain” might be used to refer to remembering something, while “detain” might be used to refer to keeping someone in one place for a conversation or other purpose.

As you can see, the choice between “detain” and “retain” can depend on the context in which they are used. It is important to consider the meaning of each word carefully and choose the one that best fits the intended meaning in the given context.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using detain and retain are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where they may not apply. In these cases, it is important to understand the specific context and usage to ensure accurate communication.

Exceptions For Detain

Detain is typically used in the context of holding someone or something against their will. However, there are some exceptions to this rule:

• Detain can also be used to describe delaying or holding back something, such as a shipment or a project. For example, “The company decided to detain the product launch until all necessary safety tests were completed.”
• In legal contexts, detain can refer to the temporary holding of a suspect for questioning. However, this usage is more commonly associated with the term “detention.”
• Detain can also be used in a figurative sense to describe a feeling of being held back or restrained. For example, “Her fear of failure was detaining her from pursuing her dreams.”

Exceptions For Retain

Retain is typically used in the context of keeping or maintaining something. However, there are some exceptions to this rule:

• Retain can be used to describe the act of hiring or keeping someone on staff. For example, “The company decided to retain the employee despite the recent downturn in business.”
• In medical contexts, retain can refer to the ability of the body to hold onto or absorb a substance, such as water or nutrients. For example, “The patient’s body was unable to retain the necessary vitamins and minerals.”
• Retain can also be used in a legal context to describe the act of keeping a lawyer’s services. For example, “The defendant decided to retain the services of a high-profile defense attorney.”

By understanding these exceptions, you can use detain and retain more accurately and effectively in your writing and communication.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have discussed the differences between detain and retain, it’s time to put your understanding to the test. Here are some practice exercises to help you improve your usage of these words in sentences:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (detain or retain) to fill in the blank in each of the following sentences:

1. The police officer decided to __________ the suspect for further questioning.
2. It’s important to __________ the information you learned in this article.
3. The hotel staff was instructed to __________ any guests who were causing a disturbance.
4. He was able to __________ his composure despite the stressful situation.
5. The company decided to __________ the services of a new marketing agency.

Answer key:

1. detain
2. retain
3. detain
4. retain
5. retain

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

Complete each sentence with the correct form of detain or retain:

1. After being __________ for several hours, the suspect was released without charges.
2. It’s important to __________ the services of a good lawyer if you are ever arrested.
3. The company decided to __________ the services of the employee who had been with them the longest.
4. The police officer was forced to __________ the suspect when he became violent.
5. She was able to __________ her position as CEO despite facing criticism from shareholders.

Answer key:

1. detained
2. retain
3. retain
4. detain
5. retain

By completing these exercises, you should have a better understanding of how to properly use detain and retain in sentences. Remember, detain refers to holding someone in custody, while retain refers to keeping something or someone in your possession or memory.

Conclusion

After reading this article, it is clear that the words “detain” and “retain” have distinct meanings that should not be interchanged. It is important to understand the differences between these words to ensure proper communication and avoid misunderstandings.

Some key takeaways from this article include:

• “Detain” means to hold someone in custody, while “retain” means to keep or hold onto something.
• The context in which these words are used is crucial in determining their meaning.
• Using the wrong word can lead to confusion and miscommunication.

It is important to continue learning about grammar and language use to improve communication skills. By expanding your vocabulary and understanding of language, you can become a more effective communicator and avoid common mistakes.

Remember to always double-check the meanings of words before using them in your writing or speech. With practice and dedication, you can become a master of language and effectively convey your message to others.