help to maintain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "help to maintain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing support or assistance in keeping something in a certain condition or state. Example: "Regular exercise can help to maintain a healthy lifestyle."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These gradients help to maintain regional biodiversity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"These new goals will help to maintain this momentum".

The Guardian

The social and gamification elements also help to maintain interest levels.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Now, a grassroots organisation is offering refugees help to maintain links to their families.

The Guardian

The over-55s, who reportedly eat more chocolate than children, now help to maintain sales.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What organizations or people help to maintain order and safety in this nation?

The New York Times

How do these positions help to maintain a fair and balanced working Senate?

The New York Times

The decision may help to maintain an international consensus on dealing with Iraq.

The New York Times

Many bathers wear traditional pointed wool hats, which, counterintuitively, help to maintain body temperature.

The New York Times - Arts

"Colloidal gold does help to maintain your skin's elasticity and firmness," she said.

The New York Times

That, so the argument goes, will help to maintain the balance of power in Asia.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "help to maintain", ensure that the subject performing the action directly contributes to the sustained state of the object. For instance, "Regular oil changes help to maintain engine performance" is more precise than "Good intentions help to maintain world peace".

Common error

Avoid using "help to maintain" when the action only has a marginal or indirect effect. For example, saying "Wearing a specific color shirt helps to maintain high employee morale" might be an overstatement unless supported by substantial evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "help to maintain" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It indicates the reason or intention behind an action, specifying that the action is performed in order to keep something in a particular state or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "help to maintain" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate how something assists in preserving a certain state or condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and appears frequently across diverse contexts, especially in scientific and news-related content. When using the phrase, consider the specific impact of the action and avoid overstating its effect. Alternatives like "assist in preserving" or "aid in sustaining" can add nuance, but the original phrase remains a clear and effective choice for most situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assist in preserving

This alternative uses "assist" instead of "help" and "preserving" instead of "maintain", indicating a more active role in keeping something in its current state.

aid in sustaining

This alternative substitutes "help" with "aid" and "maintain" with "sustaining", suggesting a supporting role in prolonging something's existence.

contribute to preserving

This suggests a partial contribution towards the act of preserving, rather than a direct maintenance.

play a role in conserving

Emphasizes the function or part taken in ensuring something's conservation.

facilitate the upkeep of

Focuses on easing the process of keeping something in good condition.

support the continuation of

Highlights the backing or encouragement given to ensure something continues.

promote the stability of

Indicates efforts to enhance or ensure the steadiness of something.

serve to protect

Focuses on the protective function of an action towards something.

work to safeguard

Emphasizes the effort put into securing or defending something.

be instrumental in preserving

Implies a crucial or essential role in the act of preserving.

FAQs

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

You can use "help to maintain" to describe how something assists in keeping a certain state or condition. For example, "Regular exercise can "help to maintain" a healthy weight."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "help to maintain"?

Alternatives include "assist in preserving", "aid in sustaining", or "contribute to preserving". The best alternative will depend on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "help in maintaining" instead of "help to maintain"?

While both are understandable, "help to maintain" is more common and generally preferred. "Help in maintaining" is less frequently used but still grammatically acceptable in certain contexts.

What's the difference between "help to maintain" and "ensure the maintenance of"?

"Help to maintain" suggests providing assistance, while "ensure the maintenance of" implies a guarantee or active effort to secure upkeep. The latter has a stronger connotation of responsibility and control.