course to maintain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "course to maintain" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an incomplete or unclear expression, and without additional context, its intended meaning is ambiguous. Example: "We need to establish a course to maintain our current standards of quality."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Unfortunately, this will be an expensive course to maintain.

The Economist

Miller is doing her best, of course, to maintain some friendship with the Latimers.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

To expect the future to be different is not of course to maintain that it will be better.

The Guardian - Books

The Official Charts Company said the Royal Blood album, which sold 66,000 copies in its first week, was on course to maintain its hold on the top slot this weekend despite competition from Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith.

Independent

Of course, to maintain his view that Hitler knew nothing, he has to tamper with historical documents – changing words, and deliberately ignoring all the contrary evidence, as was shown ad nausem at the trial.

Independent

The Fed also has two formal missions that are codified in law: to promote "maximum employment" (thus its duty to head off recessions) and, of course, to maintain a stable purchasing power, which is generally interpreted as keeping the inflation rate at a tolerable level.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

There is one private and precarious enterprise offering a GCSE Latin course to maintained schools, which I organise, with the support of the university outreach department and a loyal band of teachers who still believe in the Classics.

The Guardian

In most states, doctors take regular courses to maintain their licences.

The Economist

The Immigration and Naturalization Service jailed several Middle Eastern students in Colorado because they did not have enough college courses to maintain their student visas.

The New York Times

It includes a memorial and a resource and education center with artifacts from ground zero and classrooms for emergency workers to take continuing education courses to maintain their status.

The New York Times

By contrast, certified dental technicians of JSOI are required to belong to an academic society and to participate in society meetings and certification courses to maintain their credentials.

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to convey the idea of maintaining something, opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "method to sustain" or "strategy to continue".

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "course to maintain" as it's often perceived as awkward or grammatically incorrect. Instead, rephrase your sentence using more precise and widely accepted alternatives like "way to preserve" or "method to sustain".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "course to maintain" functions as a prepositional phrase expressing purpose, though it's considered grammatically questionable. Its intended function is to indicate the reason or method behind an action aimed at preserving or continuing something. As Ludwig AI notes, this phrasing is often unclear.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33.333333333333336%

Wiki

16.666666666666664%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "course to maintain" aims to convey the idea of preserving or continuing something, it's considered grammatically incorrect and potentially unclear. Ludwig AI confirms its non-standard usage, advising users to opt for more precise alternatives such as "way to preserve", "method to sustain", or "strategy to continue". While the phrase does appear in various sources, including news media and scientific publications, its infrequent use and grammatical ambiguity suggest that clearer and more conventional phrasing is preferable for effective communication. When in doubt, choose alternatives that more directly express your intended meaning to ensure clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

way to preserve

Emphasizes keeping something in its original condition.

method to sustain

Focuses on the ability to continue something over time.

approach to uphold

Highlights the act of defending or supporting something.

strategy to continue

Implies a planned series of actions to ensure something persists.

means to retain

Focuses on keeping possession of something.

plan to conserve

Highlights the careful use of resources to ensure their availability.

system to safeguard

Emphasizes protection from harm or damage.

process to secure

Focuses on making something safe and protected.

technique to perpetuate

Highlights making something continue indefinitely.

initiative to prolong

Implies extending the duration of something.

FAQs

What does "course to maintain" mean?

The phrase "course to maintain" is not standard English. It is used to describe a method or action taken to keep something in its current state or condition. However, it's better to use alternative phrasing, such as "strategy to sustain" or "way to preserve."

How can I rephrase "course to maintain" in a sentence?

Instead of "course to maintain", consider using phrases like "way to preserve", "method to sustain", or "strategy to continue" for clearer communication.

Is "course to maintain" grammatically correct?

Ludwig AI identifies "course to maintain" as not standard English. Therefore, while understandable, it is advisable to use more grammatically sound alternatives.

What are some alternatives to "course to maintain"?

Consider using alternative phrases that more clearly convey your intended meaning, such as "plan to conserve", "system to safeguard", or "approach to uphold".