Maintain status quo

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Maintain status quo" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to refer to keeping things the same or preserving the current state of affairs. Example: "In times of uncertainty, many organizations prefer to maintain status quo rather than risk change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"We are trying to maintain status quo," he said.

The New York Times

The new rules permitting duopoly and single ownership of both a newspaper and a TV station thus allow Tribune to maintain status quo.

The New York Times

But, she said, many leaders expect that similar efforts will crop up in other cities. "It's scary to think that we would have had to launch a political campaign to maintain status quo," she said.

The New York Times

However, the proposed budget would not maintain status quo across the board.

Science Magazine

To maintain status quo in terms of socio-economic development, states need economical and consistent supply of energy.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

The New York Attorney General's office says the court did issue an injunction while Lyft says there was no injunction or restraining order — "the judge adjourned to Monday because we agreed to hold our launch and maintain status quo".

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But "states have a vested interest in maintaining status quo," says Naylor.

Forbes

The participant group will be participating in a formal innovation education, while the nonparticipant group will be conducting business as usual or maintaining status quo.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Especially in post - colonial South Korea, U.S. occupation forces administered on the logic of maintaining status quo, which was quite different from their democratization policy in Japan.

Asian Journal of German and European Studies

One group will be participating in the innovation training, while the other group will be continuing work as usual or maintaining status quo.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

We are at the start of the specialist era in Sports and Exercise Medicine, and maintaining status quo is unacceptable.

British Journal of Sports Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Maintain status quo" when you want to emphasize the continuation of a current situation, especially when facing potential changes or disruptions.

Common error

Don't use "Maintain status quo" as an excuse for lacking innovation or progress. It should be a conscious decision, not a default setting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Maintain status quo" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often used to describe an action or policy aimed at preserving the existing conditions. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Maintain status quo" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of keeping things as they are, especially in the face of potential change. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While not overly common, it appears across diverse domains like news, science, and business, indicating a neutral to professional register. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that maintaining the current state is a deliberate decision, rather than a passive acceptance of stagnation. Alternatives such as "preserve the current state" or "keep things as they are" can provide subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Preserve the current state

Emphasizes the act of keeping the present condition unchanged.

Keep things as they are

A simpler, more direct way of expressing the desire for no change.

Retain the present condition

Similar to 'preserve', but with a focus on holding onto something already in place.

Maintain the present system

Focuses specifically on keeping a current system or method in operation.

Uphold the existing order

Suggests a more formal or structured system being maintained.

Keep the situation stable

Emphasizes the prevention of instability or change in a given situation.

Sustain the established norm

Highlights the maintenance of what is generally accepted or typical.

Avoid alterations

Focuses on the act of avoiding any modifications.

Prevent any change

A more forceful way of saying no alterations should occur.

Leave as is

A concise and informal way to indicate that no changes are desired.

FAQs

How to use "Maintain status quo" in a sentence?

You can use "Maintain status quo" when describing efforts to keep things as they are, such as "The company decided to maintain status quo until the market stabilizes".

What can I say instead of "Maintain status quo"?

You can use alternatives like "preserve the current state", "keep things as they are", or "uphold the existing order" depending on the context.

Is it always good to "Maintain status quo"?

No, "Maintain status quo" is not always beneficial. Sometimes, change is necessary for improvement or adaptation. Maintaining the status quo should be a deliberate choice, not an automatic reaction.

What's the difference between "Maintain status quo" and "Improve the situation"?

"Maintain status quo" means keeping things as they currently are, while "Improve the situation" implies making changes to achieve a better outcome. These are opposing goals.