I had maintained

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I had maintained" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that you continued to hold a belief or position over a period of time, often in the context of a past situation. Example: "Despite the challenges, I had maintained my commitment to the project until the very end."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

I had maintained my composure during his memorial service, even while delivering the eulogy.

The New Yorker

I keep imagining myself as a witness, stating to a jury that I had been drunk, yes, or that I had maintained some questionable relationships, or behaved strangely these things that are the prerogatives and sometimes the hallmarks of the ordinary life of an imperfect person but can damn a woman so quickly once she says she's been hurt.

The New Yorker

I had maintained calm-ishness even when, earlier that day, a thick cloud of smoke drifted into Venice, where we were (and still are) staying.

Los Angeles Times

If I had maintained the prescribed distance behind the car in front of me and signaled for the prescribed period of time before changing lanes?

HuffPost

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Vice

I was a full Double D by the age of twelve, a size I had maintained and grown past (I was an F when I was my heaviest) until just a few months ago.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"It's a belief I've maintained".

The Guardian - Sport

Since that time I have maintained my innocence.

The Guardian - Business

For almost 20 years, I have maintained my own company.

The Guardian

With this in mind, I have maintained an open mind.

The Guardian - Opinion

"That's been a policy I've maintained consistently.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I had maintained" to clearly indicate that an action, belief, or condition was continuously upheld by you in the past, especially when contrasting it with a subsequent change or challenge.

Common error

Avoid shifting to the present tense when describing what "I had maintained". Ensure that the entire sentence remains in the past perfect or past tense to maintain clarity and grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I had maintained" functions as a verb phrase in the past perfect tense. It indicates an action or state that was ongoing or completed before a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through its examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I had maintained" is a grammatically sound verb phrase in the past perfect tense, primarily used to express the continuous upholding of a condition, belief, or practice until a specific point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms it is commonly found in neutral registers, notably within News & Media and Academic contexts. To enhance clarity and avoid common errors, ensure consistent tense usage and consider alternative phrases like "I had upheld" or "I had sustained" depending on the intended nuance. The key is to use "I had maintained" when emphasizing continuity up to a certain point in the past, setting the stage for subsequent events or changes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I had upheld

Emphasizes the act of defending or supporting something.

I had sustained

Focuses on keeping something going or prolonging its existence.

I had preserved

Highlights the act of keeping something intact or preventing it from decaying.

I had retained

Implies keeping possession of something.

I had kept up

Suggests continuous effort to maintain something.

I had continued to hold

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of belief or position.

I had persisted in

Focuses on continuing despite difficulties.

I had stood by

Indicates unwavering support or loyalty.

I had held firm

Implies resisting pressure to change one's position.

I had remained committed to

Highlights dedication and adherence to a cause or principle.

FAQs

How can I use "I had maintained" in a sentence?

Use "I had maintained" to describe a state, belief, or practice that you consistently upheld until a specific point in the past. For example, "I had maintained a strict diet until my doctor advised otherwise".

What's the difference between "I had maintained" and "I maintained"?

"I had maintained" indicates that something was maintained over a period of time leading up to a specific point in the past. "I maintained" simply states that you maintained something at some point in the past, without necessarily implying a continuous action leading up to another event.

What can I say instead of "I had maintained"?

You can use alternatives like "I had upheld", "I had sustained", or "I had preserved" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I have maintained" instead of "I had maintained"?

The choice between "I have maintained" and "I had maintained" depends on the context and the time frame you are referring to. "I have maintained" refers to something you have kept up to the present, while "I had maintained" refers to something you kept up to a certain point in the past.