Maintaining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Maintaining" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of keeping something in a particular state or condition over time. Example: "Maintaining a healthy lifestyle requires dedication and effort."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A winner always remembers that his own survival is more important than maintaining the integrity of the democratic process.

The Guardian - Books

It sets out to be comprehensive and to bring consistency while maintaining the independence of the judiciary.

The Guardian - Opinion

Deschamps claimed to be unaware of those comments and was much more restrained, with the France manager maintaining "it doesn't make sense" to look beyond the Nigeria game.

The Guardian - Sport

The Open Wireless Router will also allow small businesses and home users to let guests and passersby get an internet connection if they need one, while maintaining a secure, password-protected portion of their network.

The Guardian - Tech

A study in the New England Journal on maintaining weight loss in 314 successful dieters (who had lost an average of 19.3kg in the past two years) found that those who weighed themselves daily were less likely to gain 2.3kg or more over the next 18 months.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now we need to concentrate on the software, getting rid of the sectarian virus and maintaining a cycle of non-violence.

The Guardian

Stop off along the way at Calke Abbey to join the National Trust's seven-night working holiday maintaining pathways and constructing tree guards.

The Guardian - Travel

Analysis What is missing is a commitment to maintaining defence spending at 2% of GDP, the government pledge made at last year's Nato summit.

The Guardian

That's one more than at the end of last month and shows Ed Miliband's party maintaining its commanding lead in the capital.

The Guardian

It is all part of the process of maintaining some dignity in a massively overcrowded and unfair profession.

The Guardian

It is possible to build mutually beneficial educational links in emerging states while maintaining home country standards in labour regulation".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Maintaining", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being preserved or upheld. For example, "Maintaining a positive attitude" is more effective than simply "Maintaining".

Common error

Avoid using "Maintaining" in overly passive constructions that obscure the actor. Instead of "Quality is being maintained by the team", opt for "The team is maintaining quality".

Linguistic Context

Maintaining functions primarily as a verb form, often used as a gerund or present participle. As Ludwig AI suggests, it denotes the action of keeping something in a specific state or condition. It can act as a noun in some constructions, referring to the act of maintaining itself.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Lifestyle

15%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Maintaining is a versatile verb form used to describe the act of keeping something in a specific condition or continuing a process. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently employed across diverse contexts. Its usage spans from preserving physical conditions to upholding abstract principles. Understanding its nuances and common errors, such as overuse in passive constructions, can significantly enhance writing clarity and effectiveness. Considering alternatives like "keeping up" or "sustaining" can also add precision to your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Keeping up

Focuses on the continuous effort required to maintain a standard or level.

Sustaining

Highlights the support needed to continue or uphold something over time.

Preserving

Emphasizes protecting something from decay or damage, often with a sense of reverence.

Upholding

Suggests defending or supporting a principle or law, often in the face of opposition.

Retaining

Implies holding onto something that one already possesses.

Safeguarding

Emphasizes protecting something from harm or risk.

Conserving

Focuses on the careful use of resources to avoid waste.

Continuing

Highlights the uninterrupted progression of an action or state.

Administering

Involves managing or governing something to ensure its proper functioning.

Observing

Implies following a rule, law, or custom.

FAQs

How can I use "Maintaining" in a sentence?

You can use "Maintaining" to describe the act of keeping something in a specific condition or state. For instance, "Maintaining a healthy diet is essential for well-being".

What are some alternatives to "Maintaining"?

Alternatives include "keeping up", "preserving", or "sustaining" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is there a difference between "Maintaining" and "Preserving"?

"Maintaining" generally refers to keeping something in its current state, while "preserving" often implies protecting something from decay or damage.

How does "Maintaining" differ from "Sustaining"?

"Maintaining" means keeping something at a certain level or standard, whereas "sustaining" suggests providing support to continue something over a long period.