Maintain your position

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Maintain your position" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as military commands, sports, or any situation where someone is instructed to stay in their current location or state. Example: "During the drill, the sergeant ordered the troops to maintain their position until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

It's rather like the rankings in tennis - you've got to keep winning to maintain your position.

The Guardian

To maintain your position in 2015 you will need a wide swathe of support.

The Economist

Show your coaches that you can maintain your position and effectively communicate to your teammates.

Stanford University

"You have to give up a lot" to maintain your position at work in a company like hers, she says.

The Economist

Now you're expected to frag enough noobs to earn the SCAR-H assault rifle that will let you maintain your position on the Black Ops leader boards.

The New York Times - Books

Without individuals in the aircraft "you can maintain your position for a long period of time with the opportunity to either watch or strike". Today one ground-based pilot flies one Predator, assisted by two analysts.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Elle, for instance, offers 60 nuggets of advice from psychologists and parents on how to have "a relaxed and efficient rentrée," including the admonishment to "maintain your positions and show constancy," not give cellphones or unsupervised Internet access to children under 12, parcel out pocket money, but "be more flexible when it comes to food" and "give room to dreams, or even boredom".

The New York Times

Even though you had severed your relationship with Paristay 10 days before our arrival, you maintained your position as ''representative of the apartment" and still do.

Stanford University

You will have a much better chance of maintaining your position.

Forbes

If, on the other hand, you convey and solicit complete, balanced opinions of current issues -- they can be family issues as well as "big" political ones -- you're one of the rare birds, probably more interested in solving problems than in campaigning for and maintaining your position, intact.

Huffington Post

Read How to Be Assertive for details on maintaining your position politely but firmly!

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "maintain your position", ensure clarity about the specific location, status, or role they need to preserve. Provide context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain your position" when flexibility or adaptation is required. Sometimes holding firm can hinder progress or create stagnation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Maintain your position" functions primarily as an imperative, used to instruct or direct someone to preserve their current location, rank, or state. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

35%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Maintain your position" serves as an imperative, instructing someone to preserve their current state, location, or rank. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability in a range of written contexts. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media and Wiki sources. While typically neutral in tone, the specific context dictates the level of formality. Consider alternatives like "hold your ground" or "stay in place" to add nuance. Exercise caution in its application, ensuring the situation warrants rigidity rather than adaptation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Hold your ground

Focuses on resisting external pressure or attack to stay where you are.

Stay in place

Emphasizes remaining stationary or fixed in a specific location.

Stand your ground

Similar to 'hold your ground', emphasizing resistance and defense of one's position.

Keep your standing

Highlights preserving one's rank, status, or reputation.

Preserve your rank

Specifically refers to keeping a particular level in a hierarchy or competition.

Defend your lead

Implies protecting a leading position in a contest or race.

Retain your advantage

Focuses on keeping a beneficial position or edge over others.

Uphold your status

Emphasizes supporting or maintaining one's current social or professional standing.

Secure your foothold

Suggests ensuring a stable and safe position, often in a competitive environment.

Consolidate your power

Implies reinforcing control or authority over a domain.

FAQs

How can I use "Maintain your position" in a sentence?

You can use "Maintain your position" in various contexts, such as instructing a team to hold their defensive line, advising a company to preserve its market share, or urging someone to uphold their stance on an important issue. For example, "The troops were ordered to "maintain their position" at all costs."

What are some alternatives to "Maintain your position"?

Alternatives include "hold your ground", "stay in place", or "preserve your rank", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "Maintain your position" or "Hold your position"?

"Maintain your position" and "Hold your position" are often interchangeable, but "hold your position" often implies a defensive posture or resisting external pressure, while "maintain your position" has a broader sense of keeping things as they are.

What does it mean to "Maintain your position" in a professional context?

In a professional context, "Maintain your position" can refer to preserving your job, status, market share, or competitive advantage. It often involves continuous effort and strategic planning to avoid regression. It could mean to "keep your standing" inside a company.