he maintained that

USAGE SUMMARY

"he maintained that" is a perfectly valid phrase that can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone has expressed a particular opinion or stance. For example, "He maintained that the new policy would be beneficial for everyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He maintained that status throughout primary season as one challenger after another self-destructed.

BBC

He maintained that was his favorite thing to eat.

Vice

He maintained that position later in his political career, writing extensively about abortion.

Wikipedia

He maintained that Uzbeks still supported him.

The New York Times

But he maintained that he did not mislead lawmakers.

The New York Times

But he maintained that it was still relevant.

The New York Times - Sports

He maintained that he had never interfered with any investigations.

The New York Times

He maintained that balance in the playoffs last year.

The New York Times - Sports

He maintained that he had never been in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

He maintained that he had not known about the practices.

The New York Times

He maintained that Plastiki's influence would be greater.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he maintained that", ensure the context clearly indicates who "he" refers to, especially if multiple individuals are mentioned in the surrounding text. Clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses inappropriately. If the maintaining occurred in the past, ensure the "that" clause reflects the appropriate past tense. For example, "He maintained that he had been unaware of the situation", not "He maintained that he is unaware of the situation."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he maintained that" functions as a reporting verb phrase, used to introduce a reported clause expressing a statement or assertion that someone has consistently held as true. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it conveys the subject's persistent stance on a particular matter.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he maintained that" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to report someone's steadfast assertion or belief. Ludwig's examples illustrate its prevalence in news, encyclopedias, and wiki sources. While synonyms like "he asserted that" or "he insisted that" offer similar meanings, "maintained" suggests a sustained position. When using this phrase, ensure clarity in pronoun reference and maintain consistent tense. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is suitable for various writing contexts, adding to its reliability as a reporting verb phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he asserted that

Uses a different verb to convey a strong declaration.

he contended that

Emphasizes a firm and often debated claim.

he claimed that

Implies that the statement might be questioned or unproven.

he insisted that

Highlights the persistence and forcefulness of the assertion.

he affirmed that

Suggests a formal or official declaration.

he declared that

Indicates a public and often authoritative statement.

he avowed that

Implies a solemn and sincere declaration.

he professed that

Suggests a publicly stated belief or feeling.

he upheld that

Highlights the act of supporting or defending a position.

he testified that

Presents the statement as evidence or a formal account.

FAQs

What does "he maintained that" mean?

The phrase "he maintained that" means he insisted or asserted something to be true, even when faced with possible disagreement or contradictory evidence. It indicates a sustained position or belief.

How can I use "he maintained that" in a sentence?

Use "he maintained that" to report someone's persistent claim or belief. For example, "Despite the evidence, "he maintained that" he was innocent."

What are some alternatives to "he maintained that"?

Alternatives include "he asserted that", "he claimed that", or "he insisted that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "he maintained that" and "he claimed that"?

"He maintained that" suggests a continued stance over time, while "he claimed that" can imply a single instance of assertion. "Maintained" also carries a stronger sense of conviction than "claimed."