eager to maintain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "eager to maintain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a strong desire or enthusiasm to keep or uphold something, such as a relationship, standard, or condition. Example: "The company is eager to maintain its reputation for quality service."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Financial institutions, eager to maintain their profitable status quo, have lobbied hard against change.

The New York Times

Created last year, it is well funded by businessmen eager to maintain the status quo.

The Economist

As the beneficiary of two government bailouts, both repaid, it has been eager to maintain good relations with regulators.

The New York Times

In some recent cases, jailhouse deaths have spurred protests and alarmed the authorities, who are eager to maintain social stability.

The New York Times

Mr. Montana of the clothing bank said his organization was eager to maintain a good relationship with the city.

The New York Times

And publishers, eager to maintain market share and often sympathetic with the authorities, cave in to them pre-emptively.

The New York Times - Books

Eager to maintain a good working relationship with the Saudis, Mr. Rumsfeld played down the issue, as well.

The New York Times

That structure, analysts say, should prove a great incentive for Gucci executives eager to maintain a degree of independence.

The New York Times

The election committee is heavily weighted with business people who, eager to maintain access to mainland markets, are seen to take voting cues from Beijing.

The New York Times

Apparently eager to maintain or increase its sales, UTStarcom engaged in complex frauds to please its customers here, American officials said.

The New York Times

Even though government experience may have helped some of this year's winners, they all seem eager to maintain their distance from Washington.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "eager to maintain", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being maintained. The object of maintenance should be explicitly stated for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "eager to maintain" in overly passive constructions. Instead of saying "The policy is eagerly maintained", use a more direct construction like "The administration is eager to maintain the policy" for better impact and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "eager to maintain" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, followed by an infinitive verb. It describes someone's willingness or enthusiasm to preserve something. As Ludwig indicates, this is a grammatically correct construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Formal & Business

21%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Science

9%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "eager to maintain" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a strong desire to preserve or continue something. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and frequently used in reputable sources like The New York Times, The Economist, and The Guardian. Its function is to express motivation, and it typically appears in neutral to professional registers. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly stating what is being maintained. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in passive constructions for a more direct and impactful message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wanting to retain

Indicates a desire to keep something.

keen to preserve

Emphasizes a strong enthusiasm for keeping something intact.

set on preserving

Implies a firm decision to keep something in its original state.

anxious to uphold

Highlights a concern and desire to support or defend something.

willing to safeguard

Expresses a readiness to protect something from danger.

determined to conserve

Focuses on a resolute decision to protect something from loss or harm.

disposed to protect

Indicates an inclination to defend or guard something.

focused on sustaining

Highlights a concentration on supporting something over time.

motivated to conserve

Points to an internal drive to protect resources or traditions.

inclined to manage

Suggests a tendency or preference for overseeing something.

FAQs

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

You can use "eager to maintain" to describe someone's enthusiasm for keeping something in its current state or condition. For example, "The company is "eager to maintain" its high standards of quality".

What are some alternatives to "eager to maintain"?

Alternatives to "eager to maintain" include "keen to preserve", "anxious to uphold", or "wanting to retain". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "eager to maintain" or "willing to maintain"?

"Eager to maintain" implies a strong desire or enthusiasm, while "willing to maintain" simply suggests a readiness to do so. "Eager" conveys more enthusiasm than "willing".

What's the difference between "eager to maintain" and "desirous of maintaining"?

"Eager to maintain" is more commonly used and sounds more natural in contemporary English. "Desirous of maintaining" is a more formal and less frequently used alternative.