failed to maintain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to maintain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a lack of success in keeping or upholding something, such as standards, conditions, or responsibilities. Example: "The company failed to maintain its quality control standards, resulting in numerous product recalls."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"But India failed to maintain that advantage".

The New York Times

He also failed to maintain medical malpractice insurance.

The Guardian

Even when they made runs, they failed to maintain momentum.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet this group failed to maintain its strength.

The Economist

The regulators contend that the company failed to maintain proper records for short-sale orders.

The New York Times

The protest ship was found to have failed to maintain a proper lookout.

The Guardian

The Bianconeri dominated the first half, yet failed to maintain their advantage.

The Guardian - Sport

The naked emperor failed to maintain my attention, but perhaps that story seemed all too familiar.

The New York Times

The application alleges Southern Cross Austereo failed to maintain a safe workplace".

The Guardian

He failed to maintain national support, however, and yielded to an Austrian invasion the following year.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"My belief as a headteacher is that Ofqual has simply failed to maintain standards".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to maintain", ensure that the subject had a prior responsibility or expectation to uphold something. This adds clarity and context to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to maintain" when there was no prior obligation or ability to control the outcome. For example, it's inaccurate to say "the rain failed to maintain a steady pace" because rain isn't expected or able to consciously maintain anything.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to maintain" functions as a verb phrase indicating a lack of success in upholding or continuing something. It often implies a prior expectation or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

39%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failed to maintain" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that indicates a lack of success in upholding or continuing something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. It is suitable for a variety of contexts, but is most commonly found in news, scientific and encyclopedia sources. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject had a prior responsibility or expectation to uphold something and be aware of closely related alternatives like "did not uphold" or "were unable to sustain" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not uphold

Highlights a failure to adhere to a standard, principle, or expectation.

were unable to sustain

Focuses on the lack of capacity or resources to keep something going over time.

neglected to preserve

Emphasizes a lack of care or attention that led to the failure, implying a responsibility was not met.

could not retain

Suggests a loss or inability to hold onto something that was previously possessed.

proved incapable of keeping

Stresses the inherent inability or lack of skill to maintain something.

stopped conserving

Focuses on the cessation of efforts to maintain or preserve something.

omitted to conserve

Emphasizes the act of forgetting or neglecting to protect or save something.

lapsed in securing

Indicates a temporary failure to protect or ensure something, implying a previous state of security.

ceased guarding

Indicates a complete termination of the act of protecting or defending.

dropped protecting

Suggests an abrupt or unintentional cessation of protective measures.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "failed to maintain"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "did not uphold", "were unable to sustain", or "neglected to preserve".

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

Use "failed to maintain" to indicate a lack of success in keeping or upholding something. For example: "The company "failed to maintain" its quality control standards."

What is the difference between "failed to maintain" and "failed to retain"?

"Failed to maintain" implies a continuous effort to keep something in a certain state, whereas "failed to retain" ("failed to retain") suggests losing possession of something previously held.

Is it appropriate to use "failed to maintain" in formal writing?

Yes, "failed to maintain" is suitable for formal writing, especially in contexts such as business reports, academic papers, and news articles. It is a clear and professional way to express a lack of success in upholding something.