free to maintain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "free to maintain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the ability or permission to keep or uphold something without restrictions. Example: "As a member of the committee, you are free to maintain your own opinions while contributing to the discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Almost half believe that immigrants should be free to maintain their cultural and religious practices.

The Economist

In short, without effective pro-Palestinian advocacy based on a realistic appraisal of the situation, Israel will be free to maintain the status quo indefinitely.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the parties, numbering 183, have yet to negotiate the details, and even after they are complete, signers are free to maintain existing rules.

The New York Times - Science

UK banking still looks like an oligopoly in which Lloyds is free to maintain the pretence that Halifax is somehow a "challenger" brand even though it sits within a group with an overall market share of about 25%.

The Guardian - Business

Mr. Segni told a joint session of Parliament that he would do his share to keep Italy peaceful and free, to maintain it as a faithful member of the Atlantic Alliance and to press forward toward European federation.

The New York Times

Britain was unable to persuade any of the undecided member states to come on board and other neutral states, such as Switzerland, decided they were free to maintain a neutral status on the grounds that the Security Council had not authorised the use of force.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Time uses bulk sales and free gifts to maintain its large circulation numbers, while Newsweek has a more stable readership.

The New York Times

Ms. O'Neal said she used her free time to maintain the school's extensive Web site, including typing in the daily homework assignments.

The New York Times - Tech

Will he be like his father, Hafez al-Assad, who during three decades in power gave the security forces virtually a free hand to maintain order and sanctioned the brutal repression of a violent Islamist uprising in the early 1980s?

The New York Times

When there is an accumulated surplus and excess cash on hand, the directors' first duty is to use the free cash to maintain a reasonable dividend.

Forbes

"It's a tradition," Westover told me when I asked about how it has felt to donate his free time to maintain the MyMerryChristmas site for a quarter of a century.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "free to maintain", ensure the context clearly indicates what entity or individual has the liberty to maintain something and what exactly they are maintaining. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your statement.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "free to maintain" implies an unlimited or unconditional freedom. The freedom might be limited by certain constraints or responsibilities. Always clarify any limitations to prevent misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "free to maintain" functions primarily as an idiomatic expression indicating permission or lack of constraint in preserving or continuing a certain state or activity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It commonly modifies a subject, clarifying their autonomy in a given situation as seen in the examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

34%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "free to maintain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate permission or autonomy in preserving a state or activity. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans across various contexts, from news and media to scientific publications and wiki articles, with a predominantly neutral register. While it conveys a lack of external restrictions, it's important to consider potential internal limitations. Alternatives like "at liberty to preserve" or "allowed to uphold" can be used depending on the specific nuance intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

at liberty to preserve

Emphasizes permission or lack of restriction in keeping something unchanged.

allowed to uphold

Highlights the permission granted to sustain or defend something.

entitled to retain

Focuses on the right or entitlement to keep something in one's possession or state.

able to conserve

Stresses the capability to protect and preserve something from loss or harm.

permitted to sustain

Implies that there is authorization to keep something going or existing.

authorized to keep

Highlights official approval to continue holding or possessing something.

have the option to preserve

Focuses on the choice available to maintain something in its current state.

may continue to support

Suggests ongoing backing or assistance to ensure something's continuation.

can opt to safeguard

Highlights the choice to protect something from potential harm or damage.

free to continue supporting

Emphasizes both the lack of restriction and the act of providing ongoing support.

FAQs

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

You can use "free to maintain" to indicate that someone has the liberty or permission to keep something in a certain condition or state. For example, "As a member of the committee, you are "free to maintain" your own opinions while contributing to the discussion."

What are some alternatives to "free to maintain"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "at liberty to preserve", "allowed to uphold", or "entitled to retain" to convey a similar meaning as "free to maintain".

Is it correct to say "free to maintained"?

No, the correct form is "free to maintain". "Maintain" should be in its base form after the "to" infinitive. Saying "free to maintained" is grammatically incorrect.

What does "free to maintain" imply about limitations?

"Free to maintain" generally implies a lack of external restrictions, but it doesn't necessarily mean there are no internal limitations. It's important to specify any constraints to avoid misinterpretations.