cumbersome to maintain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cumbersome to maintain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is difficult or burdensome to keep in good condition or to manage. Example: "The old software system is cumbersome to maintain, leading to frequent downtimes and inefficiencies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Reusable stainless steel trocars have traditionally been used to insert levonorgestrel-releasing contraceptive implants, yet they are cumbersome to maintain because of sterilization requirements.

Contraception

Although cryopreservation can make it possible to culture CES in quantity and to apply them immediately to the wounds whenever needed, it is cumbersome to maintain deep freezers equipped with electrical generator systems in case of power failure and to deliver F-CES over distances using dry ice.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The old laser equipment were difficult to run, cumbersome and hard to maintain.

Fashion and Textiles

The authors expect that the combination of participant observation of improvements in their psychological and physical health, as well as the steps (described above) taken to make study assessments non-cumbersome will help to maintain the retention rate of participants.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Three current and former coal miners told VICE News that mining companies often use appropriate safety measures during inspections — only to remove them when inspectors leave the premises because they're too cumbersome and too time-consuming to maintain.

Vice

"To maintain such a cumbersome and at times ineffective military organization is extravagant," he said at the time.

The New York Times

"To maintain such a cumbersome and at times ineffective military organization is extravagant," Mr. Putin was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.

The New York Times

The initial laser systems were cumbersome, hard to run and difficult to maintain.

Fashion and Textiles

Much of old town is a National Historic Landmark District, which serves to maintain its character but can be cumbersome to homeowners hoping to remodel protected homes.

The New York Times

It's important to maintain the momentum – not only via the cumbersome UN route but via the EU, the G20 and of course bilateral discussions between US and China.

The Guardian

These suggested approaches are viewed as a starting point for a dialogue among the health research community to challenge our current cumbersome research enterprise and to consider these or other approaches to maintain scientific rigor while speeding the process by which more responsive and relevant research findings are produced.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a system or process, consider whether "cumbersome" accurately captures the burden of maintenance, or if a more specific term like "time-consuming" or "resource-intensive" would be more precise.

Common error

Avoid using "cumbersome" as a generic negative descriptor. Ensure it truly reflects difficulty in maintenance rather than general complexity or inefficiency. Overusing such terms diminishes their impact and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cumbersome to maintain" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, followed by an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. Based on Ludwig, it describes a characteristic that renders the task of maintaining something difficult or burdensome.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cumbersome to maintain" accurately describes something difficult or burdensome to keep in working order. Although Ludwig AI considers it grammatically correct and the phrase appears in reliable sources, its frequency is rare, suggesting that alternative phrasings might be more common. It's primarily used in Science and News & Media contexts. When writing, ensure "cumbersome" specifically reflects the difficulty of maintenance rather than being a generic term for complexity. More precise language may be appropriate for technical or informal settings. Consider alternatives like "difficult to upkeep" or "challenging to keep up" for greater clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult to upkeep

Focuses on the difficulty of the upkeep process.

challenging to keep up

Highlights the challenge involved in maintaining something.

laborious to preserve

Emphasizes the effort required for preservation.

tedious to service

Points out the monotony of servicing something.

unwieldy to manage

Stresses the difficult in managing, implying the thing is difficult to handle.

troublesome to service

Indicates that the service process is full of problems and is a source of discomfort.

inconvenient to preserve

Emphasis on the lack of commodity and appropriateness in the preserve process.

awkward to handle

Highlights the difficulty in handling something, often implying a lack of grace or skill.

complex to administer

Highlights complex bureaucracy and management

demanding to sustain

Focuses on the high demands required to keep something going.

FAQs

What does "cumbersome to maintain" mean?

It means something is difficult or burdensome to keep in good condition or manage. It implies that the maintenance process is complex or requires significant effort.

What can I say instead of "cumbersome to maintain"?

You can use alternatives like "difficult to upkeep", "challenging to keep up", or "laborious to preserve" depending on the context.

Is "cumbersome to maintain" formal or informal?

It is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. While understandable in most contexts, more precise language may be preferable in highly formal writing.

How can I avoid making mistakes when using "cumbersome to maintain"?

Ensure that "cumbersome" accurately reflects the difficulty in the maintenance itself, rather than simply being a synonym for "complex" or "inefficient". Choose more specific terms when appropriate.