Maintain

USAGE SUMMARY

'Maintain' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of continuing to do something, keeping something in good condition, preserving something or continuing to support something. Example sentence: We need to maintain a strong level of communication throughout this project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It said: [Evraz] is seeking approval...of the holders of the notes to remove a covenant requiring the company to maintain the net leverage ratio at or below a specified level.

The Guardian - Business

Economically, gas exports enable the government to maintain its tight grip on power.

The Guardian

The Committee will maintain its existing policy of reinvesting principal payments from its securities holdings.

The New York Times

To date the politician – one of Greece's canniest operators – has managed to maintain approval ratings of close to 70% despite rolling back on almost every promise he has made.

The Guardian

The firm attempted to maintain its profitability by marginally reducing the proportion of revenue set aside to pay staff to 36.8% from 36.9%.

The Guardian - Business

This is the notion that openness is a certain good, and that "free" is automatically aligned with "freedom" – a faith that's hard to maintain in the light of the consequences of putting so much of our identities into the hands of third (and fourth, and fifth) parties.

The Guardian - Opinion

Related: Sir Bradley Wiggins smashes Alex Dowsett's hour record – in pictures The Hour is better known for pressure of a different kind: the relentless need for the rider to maintain an even pace, while on the edge of cracking.

The Guardian - Sport

In addition, our first priority is to invest in the squad and football staff infrastructure to support the manager Eddie Howe and his coaching staff, which we believe is the best strategy to maintain our Premier League status.

The Guardian - Sport

But Fox's pledge to maintain Britain's ability to wage war unilaterally, cooperate with France while snubbing the EU's defence agency, cutting Whitehall staff and reforming wasteful procurement (again) does not sound like tough realism, especially when combined with Cameron's gimmicky "war cabinet" and national security adviser approach.

The Guardian - Opinion

He added: "After a comprehensive review I've determined that we can ensure the security of America and our allies – and maintain a strong and credible strategic deterrent – while reducing our deployed strategic nuclear weapons by up to one-third".

The Guardian

This may be less than is needed just to maintain existing services, let alone extend them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "maintain", ensure that the object being maintained is clearly defined. For instance, specify what standards, conditions, or levels you aim to keep up.

Common error

Do not use "maintain" without clearly specifying what is being maintained. For example, instead of saying "We need to maintain", specify "We need to maintain our standards".

Linguistic Context

Maintain primarily functions as a verb, indicating the action of preserving, continuing, or upholding something. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used, with examples showing its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

32%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maintain" is a versatile verb that signifies preserving, continuing, or upholding something. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts. It is commonly found in news, business, and scientific writing. To ensure clarity, specify the object being maintained. Alternatives include "preserve", "uphold", and "sustain". Use "maintain" precisely to avoid vagueness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Preserve

Focuses on keeping something in its original state or condition.

Uphold

Emphasizes supporting or defending something, often a principle or law.

Conserve

Highlights the careful use and protection of resources or qualities.

Sustain

Implies providing support or nourishment to keep something going.

Retain

Focuses on keeping possession of something.

Keep up

Suggests continuing at the same rate or level.

Continue

Simply means to proceed without interruption.

Hold

Implies keeping something in a particular position or state.

Look after

Emphasizes taking care of something to ensure its well-being.

Care for

Highlights the act of providing attention and support to something.

FAQs

How can I use "Maintain" in a sentence?

You can use "Maintain" to express keeping something in good condition or continuing a certain state. For example, "It's important to maintain a positive attitude."

What are some alternatives to "Maintain"?

You can use alternatives like "preserve", "uphold", or "sustain" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "Maintain" or "Keep up"?

The choice between "Maintain" and "Keep up" depends on the specific meaning you want to convey. "Maintain" suggests preserving the current state, while "Keep up" implies continuing at the same pace or level.

What is the difference between "Maintain" and "Preserve"?

"Maintain" implies keeping something in its current condition, while "preserve" suggests keeping something safe from harm or decay.