begins to maintain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "begins to maintain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the initiation of a process or action of keeping something in a certain state or condition. Example: "As the project progresses, the team begins to maintain a consistent level of quality in their work."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

During this stage of abuse, negative reinforcement begins to maintain drug taking.

Biology of Sex Differences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The battle will begin to maintain, without interruption or clarification, the treasured sense of generational continuity.

The New York Times - Sports

Others have begun to maintain provocative photo diaries in such hotspots as the West Bank and Iran - devastating images of the Bam earthquake reached Fotolog.net within hours.

The Guardian - Tech

It is clear to American film companies that China is beginning to maintain control of its own film market with domestic films, rather than imported US blockbusters.

The New York Times

It wasn't until she became pregnant at 30 that she believes she began to maintain a healthy attitude toward food, still remembering the coach who got on a loudspeaker and berated a fellow teammate for gaining a pound.

The New York Times

City officials counter that without these advertisements, the city could not begin to maintain its historic monuments, many of which show the ravages of centuries of wear, exacerbated by the impact of the watery setting.

The New York Times

Many scholars hypothesize the existence of a powerful aristocratic class, and craftsmen, merchants, and seamen would have formed a middle class; it was probably at this time that the Etruscans began to maintain the elegant slaves for which they were famous.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Merrills Blodget remarks that "over the last two quarters, barnesandnoble.com has begun to maintain and even gain market share.

Forbes

In July 1975, the Soviet Union began to maintain weather ship C ("Charlie"), which it would operate through the remainder of the 1970s and 1980s.

Wikipedia

Even a light dusting of snow or ice could cause an aeroplane to crash, so airports erected snow fences around airfields to prevent snowdrifts, and began to maintain fleets of vehicles to clear runways in heavy weather.

Wikipedia

At about the same time, he began to maintain that natural selection cannot account for mathematical, artistic, or musical genius, as well as metaphysical musings, and wit and humour.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "begins to maintain" to clearly indicate the starting point of a consistent effort. This emphasizes the transition from a previous state to one of ongoing maintenance or support.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "begins to maintain" can sound somewhat stilted. In more informal contexts, consider using alternatives like "starts keeping" or "starts looking after" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "begins to maintain" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the commencement of an action aimed at preserving or upholding something. As seen in Ludwig, this typically describes initiating a process of upkeep or support.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

24%

Science

24%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "begins to maintain" is grammatically correct and serves to indicate the commencement of an action focused on preservation or upkeep. As Ludwig AI states, it's usable in written English, describing the start of keeping something in a certain state or condition. Its usage tends toward neutral to formal contexts and, while alternatives exist for more casual settings, it effectively conveys the initiation of a sustained effort. Although the phrase is not frequently encountered, its presence in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its validity and appropriateness. Consider using related phrases like "starts to preserve" or "commences to uphold" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

starts to preserve

Emphasizes the initiation of efforts to keep something in its original condition.

starts actively keeping

Highlights the commencement and active nature of keeping something in a certain condition.

commences to uphold

Highlights the start of actively supporting or defending something.

launches into preserving

Implies a vigorous start to preserving something.

initiates upkeep

Focuses on the beginning of regular maintenance activities.

begins actively supporting

Focuses on the initiation of actions aimed at maintaining active support.

undertakes to sustain

Suggests a formal commitment to continue supporting something.

starts looking after

Focuses on the initiation of care and attention to maintain someone or something.

sets about conserving

Implies actively working to protect something from loss or harm.

commences the safeguarding of

Suggests a formal and careful approach to maintaining the protection of something.

FAQs

How can I use "begins to maintain" in a sentence?

The phrase "begins to maintain" is used to describe the start of an activity aimed at keeping something in a particular condition. For example, "The company begins to maintain the equipment after the warranty expires."

What are some alternatives to "begins to maintain"?

You can use alternatives like "starts to preserve", "commences to uphold", or "initiates upkeep" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "begins to maintain"?

It's suitable when you want to emphasize the initiation of a sustained effort to keep something in good condition. Consider the formality of your writing, as simpler alternatives might be better in informal contexts.

What's the difference between "begins to maintain" and "continues to maintain"?

"Begins to maintain" refers to the start of the maintenance activity, while "continues to maintain" indicates that the activity is already in progress and is being sustained over time.