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Mon Feb 21, 2005 21:19 pm Contrast |
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Contrast is the correct answer. _________________ English as a Second Language You can read my ESL story Phrasal Verbs/run |
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Alan Co-founder

Joined: 27 Sep 2003 Posts: 7283 Location: UK
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Mon Feb 21, 2005 21:19 pm In complete contrast to |
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Hi,
The correct answer is in complete contrast to. _________________ Test Of English for International Communication TOEIC Preparation & TOEIC Vocabulary |
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Torsten Site Admin

Joined: 25 Sep 2003 Posts: 6726 Location: EU
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Wed Sep 13, 2006 12:59 pm Retrain vs. retain |
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| retain, not retrain |
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teodora65 I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 14
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Wed Sep 13, 2006 13:58 pm Retrain vs. retain |
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Hi teodora65
The word "retrain" is correct in the sentence. The word "retain" would be wrong for a number of reasons.
With that information in mind, would you like to try to figure out why retain doesn't work but retrain does?
Amy _________________ Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 7465 Location: Northeast US
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Wed Sep 13, 2006 17:29 pm Expression: in complete contrast to |
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| I can't find the word retrain in the dictionary ,unfortunately.Is there any conection with the verb train? |
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teodora65 I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 14
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Wed Sep 13, 2006 18:54 pm Expression: in complete contrast to |
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Hi teodora65
Yes, retrain means "to train or undergo training again". (Prefix re-) So, the test sentence refers to people who undergo retraining (training for a new occupation). In addition, you can use "retrain" as either a transitive or an intransitive verb.
One of the problems with retain is that this verb can only be used as a transitive verb (i.e., must have an object), but in the test sentence you need an intransitive verb.
What about the meaning of retain? Why did you think that would work in the sentence?
Amy _________________ Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 7465 Location: Northeast US
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Wed Sep 13, 2006 20:35 pm Retain vs. retrain |
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| I mean, the people,who decide to keep working for the some company- retain. |
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teodora65 I'm new here and I like it ;-)
Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 14
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Wed Sep 13, 2006 21:26 pm Expression: in complete contrast to |
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Hi teodora65
OK, I see the logic. 
Yes, you could say "retain a job". This would have the sense of "keep" / "make sure you don't lose".
Retain doesn't work well in the sentence because it mentions that people were made redundant. In other words, there were situations in which people were not able to decide to keep their jobs. The company had no work for them; they were no longer needed. The people had to look for new employment.
You can also say that "a company retains staff". This would also have the sense of "keep" / "make sure you don't lose". I'd say this usage is probably more common.
Amy _________________ Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English |
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Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 7465 Location: Northeast US
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Thu Sep 14, 2006 0:10 am Breaking taboos |
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| Yankee wrote: | | native speaker of AmE |
Yep, that's my girl! |
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Conchita Language Coach
Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 2702 Location: Madrid, Spain
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| Why do you use what instead of which? | Whose vs. who's |