1
retain + noun
保留抽象名词，如composure, control, dignity等。
She managed to retain her composure during the interview.
她在面试中设法保持了镇定。
保留；保持
retains — third person singular of retain
先理解核心含义，再看它在真实句子里的用法。
保留；保持
to continue to have or keep something, such as a feature or an employee
She managed to retain her composure during the interview.
她在面试中设法保持了镇定。
常接 from:阻止(某人或某物)；制止,防止,约束,止住。
Often followed by from: to hold back (someone or something); to check, to prevent, to restrain, to stop.
(指事物)把(某物)保持在里面；容纳。
Of a thing: to hold or keep (something) inside it; to contain.
牢固地固定(某物)；防止(某物)脱落或分离。
To hold (something) secure; to prevent (something) from becoming detached or separated.
保持对(某物)的控制或占有；继续拥有(某物)；扣留。
To keep (something) in control or possession; to continue having (something); to keep back.
retain
Base
原形
retains
3rd person
第三人称单数
retaining
-ing
现在分词
retained
Past
过去式
retained
Past participle
过去分词
She retains a lot of information after reading.
她阅读后记住很多信息。
He retained his composure during the crisis.
他在危机中保持了镇定。
They have retained the same policies for years.
他们多年来一直保持相同的政策。
规则变化，过去式直接加-ed。
The old building still retains its original character.
这座老建筑仍然保留着它原来的特色。
Please retain your receipt until the warranty period ends.
请保留您的收据，直到保修期结束。
Even under pressure, she retained her composure.
即使在压力下，她依然保持着镇定。
保留抽象名词，如composure, control, dignity等。
She managed to retain her composure during the interview.
她在面试中设法保持了镇定。
表示以某种身份留用或聘请某人。
The company retained him as a legal consultant.
公司聘请他担任法律顾问。
常用于法律语境，指付费聘请律师或专家。
They decided to retain a top lawyer for the case.
他们决定为这个案子聘请一位顶级律师。
Not this
The old traditions still retain.
Use this
The old traditions are still retained.
Retain是及物动词，必须带宾语；若主语是受动者，需用被动语态。
Not this
Please remain the receipt for future reference.
Use this
Please retain the receipt for future reference.
Remain是不及物动词，不能直接带宾语；表示‘保留’应使用及物动词retain。
Focus on the distinctions below. Other candidates are kept compact until a reliable usage note is available.
保持控制
The company managed to retain control of the market.
这家公司设法保持了对市场的控制。
记住信息
Students need to retain information for the exam.
学生需要记住信息以应对考试。
保温
This material retains heat very well.
这种材料保温效果很好。
保水
The soil retains water after heavy rain.
大雨后土壤会保持水分。
聘请律师
He decided to retain a lawyer for the case.
他决定为这个案件聘请一名律师。
保住职位
She worked hard to retain her position in the company.
她努力工作以保住自己在公司的职位。
保持镇静
She managed to retain her composure during the crisis.
她在危机期间设法保持了镇静。
留住水分；水肿
Some people with kidney problems retain water easily.
有些肾脏问题的人容易水肿。
聘请律师
He retained a lawyer to handle the legal matter.
他聘请了一位律师来处理法律事务。
Use retains naturally, then get feedback on meaning, tone, grammar, and phrasing.
Revisit a common error or keep this word in your review list.
把‘re’记作‘再次’，‘tain’记作‘拿住’（类似contain），再次拿住就是保留。
中性，多用于正式或书面语境，表示‘保持’或‘保留’。
及物动词，后直接跟宾语。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.