Cool MateHold this vs Retain
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Hold this
Top 2,000 (common)
Retain
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
| Hold this | Retain | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //həʊld ðɪs//🇺🇸 //hoʊld ðɪs// | 🇬🇧 //rɪˈteɪn//🇺🇸 //rɪˈteɪn// |
| Meaning | To keep or carry something for a short time. | To keep or hold something. |
| Example | Can you **hold this** bag while I tie my shoe? | 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 | hold this item, hold this position, hold this thought | retain customers, retain information, retain control, retain talent |
| Antonyms | - | lose, discard, abandon |
| Common mistakes | Using 'held' instead of 'hold' in present contexts., Confusing with 'grab' which implies more force., Using 'hold it' without specifying the object. | Confused with 'retain' vs 'obtain'., Using 'retain' without an object., Misusing 'retain' in informal contexts. |
| Usage notes | Used in casual conversation or when giving someone something to carry temporarily. Avoid in formal writing. | Use 'retain' when discussing keeping information, objects, or qualities. It's more formal than 'keep'. Avoid in casual speech. |
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Frequently asked questions: Hold this vs Retain
What's the difference between Hold this and Retain?
Hold this: To keep or carry something for a short time. Retain: To keep or hold something.
Can you show an example of each?
Hold this: Can you **hold this** bag while I tie my shoe? Retain: It's important to retain information during exams.
Can I use Hold this and Retain interchangeably?
Not always. Hold this 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.