it only maintains

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it only maintains" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing something that continues to exist or function without change or improvement. Example: "The current system is outdated, and it only maintains the status quo without addressing any of the underlying issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

In the active state, the node can create packets and communicate with other nodes; in the sleeping state, it only maintains an alarm clock to wake up itself, keeping its sensing and radio modules turned off.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

It only maintains daily life, it's a kind of holding pattern.

The New Yorker

And even if it only maintains an audience of 50% of the 1.2bn users, it can still serve a strong purpose as part of that broadening portfolio.

The Guardian

But attorneys warned the preliminary injunction does not protect Haitian TPS holders long term; the decision is being appealed by the government, and even if it is upheld, it only maintains the status quo while the case proceeds.

The Guardian

The world governing body said that, given it only maintains statistics for the international competitions it runs, it is not possibly to ratify records from club football around the world.

BBC

For example, if CLW uncovers labor rights violations at a Disney supplier factory in China, Disney might respond that it only maintains a small number of orders in the plant and is unable to influence the factory's behavior.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

It only maintained this intensity for a short time before an increase in wind shear and less favorable conditions induced its weakening.

Wikipedia

The ECM is critical during development as it not only maintains tissue homoeostasis and structure, but it also performs a diverse set of regulatory functions that orchestrates downstream signalling pathways for proliferation and survival, and serving as a scaffold for mediating physical interactions between different cell types (Lu et al, 2012).

British Journal of Cancer

It not only maintains the property but also decides who may become a resident and sets rents.

Britannica

The niche is a dynamic microenvironment; it not only maintains stem-cell quiescence, but also manages the activation of stem cells when required.

BioMed Research International

Lake Victoria is exceptional in that it not only maintained its yield in the face of overexploitation but has increased it to 17 000 t.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it only maintains" to clearly convey the idea of something continuing without any significant change or improvement. This phrase is particularly useful when emphasizing the static nature of a system or process.

Common error

Avoid using "it only maintains" when the context implies ongoing development or improvement. This phrase suggests a static state, so ensure it accurately reflects the situation you're describing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it only maintains" functions as a descriptive statement, typically used to indicate that something is being kept in its current state without any further development or change. Ludwig AI's examples show its use in various contexts, from describing a system's capabilities to an organization's role.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it only maintains" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe a state of continuation without change or improvement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples across diverse contexts like news, science, and general discussions. The phrase is most commonly found in News & Media sources. While grammatically correct and widely understood, ensure its use accurately reflects the absence of progress or development in the described situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it merely preserves

Emphasizes the lack of alteration or advancement, highlighting the act of keeping something unchanged.

it simply sustains

Focuses on the act of providing support to keep something going at a basic level.

it just upholds

Highlights the act of defending or supporting the current state.

it solely retains

Emphasizes exclusivity, indicating that nothing else is being done except maintaining something.

it exclusively keeps

Highlights that only the maintenance aspect is being performed with a sense of restriction.

it strictly conserves

Focuses on preserving resources or conditions exactly as they are.

it barely supports

Suggests minimal effort in keeping something functional.

it nominally preserves

Focuses on maintaining the state of something in name only, potentially without true substance.

it superficially keeps

Indicates a lack of depth or genuine commitment in maintaining something.

it functionally holds

Focuses on keeping something operational, but without necessarily implying improvement or enhancement.

FAQs

How can I use "it only maintains" in a sentence?

You can use "it only maintains" to describe a system or process that continues to function without significant changes or improvements. For example: "The current software "it only maintains" the basic functionalities and doesn't offer any new features".

What are some alternatives to "it only maintains"?

Alternatives include "it merely preserves", "it simply sustains", or "it just upholds", which all emphasize a lack of progress or change.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it only maintains"?

Yes, "it only maintains" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a situation where something is kept in its current state without further development or enhancement.

What is the difference between "it only maintains" and "it actively improves"?

"It only maintains" indicates a state of no change, while "it actively improves" suggests ongoing effort to enhance or develop something. The former focuses on preserving the status quo, whereas the latter focuses on making progress.