maintain a belief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain a belief" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of holding onto a particular belief or conviction over time. Example: "Despite the challenges she faced, she continued to maintain a belief in the power of kindness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Iwata also appeared to maintain a belief in the creative worth of video games.

The New Yorker

With Bernard Wiseman's "Morris the Moose," about a moose who mistakenly assumes all his friends are also moose, they consider how someone can maintain a belief in the face of contrary evidence.

The New York Times

And if we choose to maintain a belief in some kind of "God," we might have to see ourselves as manifestations of a God that is evolving, too.

Huffington Post

The interests opposed to the agreement, which wouldn't be possible without mutual trust, maintain a belief in nothing but one-sided force to achieve their ends: either ongoing sanctions against Iran or military action.

Huffington Post

Many reports on this decline are quick to qualify these numbers with the fact that more than two-thirds of the so-called NONES maintain a belief in God, but simply have little or no interest in organized religion.

Huffington Post

An agnostic theist might recognize that they do not know whether or not gods exist, but still maintain a belief in a god or gods.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Over time, we've maintained a belief that Jakobson's idea of "literary conventions" still exists, at least in the classroom.

The Guardian - Books

Through it all, Smedley said he maintained a belief that Randolph was more a victim of a challenging home environment than bad intentions.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet he maintained a belief that the Mets could turn their season around, that they "still have lots of good baseball in front of us".

The New York Times

He was a man of integrity who — with few exceptions — gave credit where it was due and maintained a belief in "a harmony between written revelation and natural phenomena".

Nature

He supervised the 400 Federal marshals sent to restore order during civil rights unrest in Alabama in 1961, and maintained a belief in the need for a strong and vigorous Federal Government.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "maintain a belief", consider the context and choose a verb that accurately reflects the degree of effort or challenge involved in holding that belief. For example, "uphold" suggests active defense, while "cherish" suggests deep emotional connection.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain a belief" when the belief is not genuinely held or is wavering. Using a weaker verb, such as "entertain" or "consider", might be more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain a belief" functions as a verbal phrase, indicating the action of sustaining or continuing to hold a particular conviction or opinion. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is valid and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

15%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maintain a belief" is a grammatically sound and valid phrase used to describe the act of holding onto a particular conviction or opinion over time. As shown by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in News & Media, but also finds use in Academia and Wiki contexts. While various alternatives exist, such as "hold a belief" or "uphold a belief", the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure the belief is genuinely held and the verb accurately reflects the degree of effort involved. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively use "maintain a belief" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep a conviction

Uses the word "conviction" to strengthen the sense of certainty and firmness in the belief.

hold a belief

Focuses on the act of holding a belief, without necessarily implying its persistence over time.

sustain a belief

Highlights the effort required to keep a belief alive, particularly in the face of challenges.

retain a belief

Focuses on keeping a belief that one already has, even when it might be easier to abandon it.

uphold a belief

Implies actively defending or supporting a belief, adding a sense of advocacy.

stand by a belief

Implies supporting a belief publicly and refusing to abandon it, even when challenged.

preserve a belief

Emphasizes the act of keeping a belief intact and unchanged over time.

cling to a belief

Suggests holding onto a belief tightly, often in a desperate or unwavering way.

cherish a belief

Adds an emotional dimension, suggesting that the belief is highly valued and cared for.

harbor a belief

Implies secretly holding a belief, often one that is not openly expressed.

FAQs

How can I use "maintain a belief" in a sentence?

You can use "maintain a belief" to describe someone who continues to hold a particular conviction or opinion over time, such as "Despite the evidence, she continued to "maintain a belief" in his innocence."

What can I say instead of "maintain a belief"?

You can use alternatives like "hold a belief", "uphold a belief", or "retain a belief", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it redundant to say "maintain a strong belief"?

While not strictly redundant, "maintain a strong belief" can sometimes be simplified to just "maintain a belief", as the act of maintaining already implies a certain level of strength or persistence.

What's the difference between "maintain a belief" and "adopt a belief"?

"Maintain a belief" refers to continuing to hold an existing belief, while "adopt a belief" means starting to hold a new belief. The former implies continuity, whereas the latter implies a change in perspective.