he maintains that

USAGE SUMMARY

"he maintains that" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to introduce a statement that someone is holding to be true, such as "He maintains that the best way to solve the issue is with more data."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He maintains that is just a smoke screen for prosecution by the United States.

The New York Times

Furthermore, he maintains that contents as correlates of acts are always spiritual.

SEP

(He maintains that he was extorted).

The New Yorker

(He maintains that he was wrongfully accused).

The New York Times

He maintains that "tranquillity" has been restored.

The Guardian

He maintains that "Enron funded climate alarmism".

The Guardian - Opinion

He maintains that corporate left him alone.

The Guardian - Books

He maintains that stance, Arison's glib posting notwithstanding.

The New York Times - Sports

He maintains that our society wastes far too much.

The New York Times - Magazine

He maintains that the problem is weak institutions.

The Economist

However, he maintains that "Command" is a useful training tool.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he maintains that" to introduce a statement of belief or fact that someone consistently asserts, especially when reporting on their views or defending against counterarguments. It's useful in formal writing and reporting to convey a person's persistent position.

Common error

Avoid using "he maintains that" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler phrases like "he says" or "he thinks" to maintain a natural tone and avoid sounding overly formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he maintains that" functions as a reporting verb phrase, used to introduce a statement or belief that someone consistently asserts. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts to convey a person's position.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he maintains that" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for reporting someone's consistent assertion or belief. It's prevalent in news, scientific, and formal contexts, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples. When writing, it's crucial to consider the register and audience, opting for simpler alternatives in informal settings. The phrase is best used to convey a sustained position, especially when that position is being challenged or debated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he asserts that

Emphasizes a confident and forceful statement.

he contends that

Suggests the statement is part of an argument or debate.

he claims that

A general alternative, but can imply doubt depending on context.

he argues that

Highlights the reasoning and evidence behind the statement.

he insists that

Implies a firm and unwavering stance.

he affirms that

Suggests a positive and confident declaration.

he states that

A neutral and formal way of reporting a statement.

he posits that

Indicates a proposition put forward for consideration.

he avers that

A more formal and emphatic way of stating something is true.

he declares that

Suggests a formal and public announcement.

FAQs

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

Use "he maintains that" to introduce a statement that someone firmly believes to be true, such as "He maintains that the data supports his theory."

What are some alternatives to "he maintains that"?

You can use alternatives like "he asserts that", "he contends that", or "he claims that" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "he maintained that" or "he maintains that"?

Use "he maintained that" for past statements and "he maintains that" for current, ongoing beliefs. For example, "He maintained that he was innocent" (past) versus "He maintains that he is innocent" (current).

What is the difference between "he argues that" and "he maintains that"?

"He argues that" implies providing reasoning or evidence, while "he maintains that" simply means he continues to assert something, even without new arguments. Consider alternatives phrases as "he argues that".