maintain

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "maintain" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb, and it can be used in a variety of ways. For example, you can use it to talk about taking care of something, such as: "I need to maintain my car in order to keep it running properly." You can also use it to talk about consistently adhering to something, such as: "We must maintain our high standards in order to ensure success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It said: [Evraz] is seeking approval...of the holders of the notes to remove a covenant requiring the company to maintain the net leverage ratio at or below a specified level.

The Guardian - Business

Economically, gas exports enable the government to maintain its tight grip on power.

The Guardian

The Committee will maintain its existing policy of reinvesting principal payments from its securities holdings.

The New York Times

To date the politician – one of Greece's canniest operators – has managed to maintain approval ratings of close to 70% despite rolling back on almost every promise he has made.

The Guardian

The firm attempted to maintain its profitability by marginally reducing the proportion of revenue set aside to pay staff to 36.8% from 36.9%.

The Guardian - Business

This is the notion that openness is a certain good, and that "free" is automatically aligned with "freedom" – a faith that's hard to maintain in the light of the consequences of putting so much of our identities into the hands of third (and fourth, and fifth) parties.

The Guardian - Opinion

Related: Sir Bradley Wiggins smashes Alex Dowsett's hour record – in pictures The Hour is better known for pressure of a different kind: the relentless need for the rider to maintain an even pace, while on the edge of cracking.

The Guardian - Sport

In addition, our first priority is to invest in the squad and football staff infrastructure to support the manager Eddie Howe and his coaching staff, which we believe is the best strategy to maintain our Premier League status.

The Guardian - Sport

But Fox's pledge to maintain Britain's ability to wage war unilaterally, cooperate with France while snubbing the EU's defence agency, cutting Whitehall staff and reforming wasteful procurement (again) does not sound like tough realism, especially when combined with Cameron's gimmicky "war cabinet" and national security adviser approach.

The Guardian - Opinion

He added: "After a comprehensive review I've determined that we can ensure the security of America and our allies – and maintain a strong and credible strategic deterrent – while reducing our deployed strategic nuclear weapons by up to one-third".

The Guardian

This may be less than is needed just to maintain existing services, let alone extend them.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Maintain" can refer to preserving a physical object, upholding a principle, or asserting a claim, so choose the word that best fits your intended meaning.

Common error

While both "maintain" and "sustain" imply continuity, "maintain" suggests keeping something in its existing state, whereas "sustain" implies providing ongoing support or nourishment. Use "maintain" when you mean to keep something at the same level or condition.

Linguistic Context

The verb "maintain" primarily functions as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. It is used to describe the act of preserving something in its current state, upholding a standard, or asserting a belief. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a common and versatile term.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maintain" is a versatile verb used to express the act of preserving, upholding, or asserting something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard grammar rules and finds widespread use across diverse contexts. It's crucial to consider the specific nuance you want to convey, as "maintain" can refer to physical preservation, upholding principles, or asserting claims. While synonyms like "sustain" and "preserve" exist, "maintain" emphasizes active effort to keep something in its current state. Remember that "maintain" is frequently seen in news, business, and scientific publications, demonstrating its broad applicability and importance in clear communication. By keeping these guidelines in mind, you can confidently and correctly employ the word "maintain" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Preserve

Emphasizes keeping something in its original condition.

Sustain

Suggests providing continued support or nourishment.

Keep up

Focuses on continuing an activity or process at the same level.

Uphold

Implies supporting or defending a principle or law.

Conserve

Highlights careful use and protection of resources.

Retain

Focuses on keeping possession of something.

Keep

A general term for holding or possessing something.

Support

Emphasizes providing assistance or backing.

Assert

Highlights confidently stating or declaring something.

Manage

Focuses on handling or controlling something effectively.

FAQs

How can I use "maintain" in a sentence?

You can use "maintain" to describe keeping something in good condition, like "I need to "maintain" my car". It can also mean to continue to have something, such as "They "maintain" a close friendship".

What are some synonyms for "maintain"?

Alternatives to "maintain" include "preserve", "sustain", "uphold", and "keep up", depending on the specific context.

Is there a difference between "maintain" and "preserve"?

Yes, while both words suggest keeping something in a certain state, "maintain" often implies ongoing effort to keep something at its current level, whereas "preserve" typically means keeping something from decay or damage.

When is it appropriate to use "maintain" instead of "keep"?

Use "maintain" when you want to emphasize the effort or process involved in keeping something in a particular state or condition. "Keep" is a more general term, while "maintain" suggests active care or management.