maintain a discourse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain a discourse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of keeping a conversation or dialogue ongoing, particularly in formal or academic contexts. Example: "In order to foster understanding among diverse groups, it is essential to maintain a discourse that encourages open communication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

And as a result, as they had back in the 1970s, painters were able to maintain a discourse among themselves and to hone their thinking and crafting without having to worry about the whole damned art world breathing down their necks.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The fifth conflict was about the moderators keeping up with the online activity if the OHPC intervention was used extensively, regarding the need to maintain a civil discourse.

BMC Health Services Research

Yet it does happen and denying it not only discriminates against those victims of female-male rape but also maintains a masculine discourse in which "real men" are agents and never victims.

The Guardian - Opinion

Getting to the heart of honour crimes involves maintaining a responsible discourse in the media and policy circles while empowering local organisations, many of which are driven by women who have an unparalleled understanding of the forces that perpetuate injustice in their communities.

The Guardian

All these happened during the 1-mo group study while the students constructed their knowledge through comprehensive independent learning and maintained a continuous discourse in the team and with the TA and the instructor.

CBE Life Sciences Education

The candidate, he said, appeared stuck between "balancing the anti-Obama sentiments of the party's base with the need to maintain a civil level of discourse".

Huffington Post

But it is important to maintain a reflective stance outside scientific discourse so that questions about language, freedom, justice and moral responsibility can be raised and discussed intelligently.

The Guardian - Opinion

It is a discourse the shows moral frailty and depth of a system that blatantly separates one from another in order to maintain a history not sought by all.

Huffington Post

Still, every social network going back to Usenet in the 1990s faces the same problem in abating trolls and maintaining a high level of discourse.

TechCrunch

This god maintained a hegemony over our public discourse; a supreme being that was synonymous with empire and its economy--an imperial god.

Huffington Post

It allows them and their allies to maintain this discourse of defense; that a sovereign nation would not allow rocket attacks on its territory (of course not applying to the democratically elected government of the Gaza Strip), while whipping -up a fear frenzy of the Palestinian "other" among Israeli Jews.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "maintain a discourse" in formal or academic writing when you want to emphasize the ongoing and structured nature of a conversation or debate. It is particularly effective when referring to a consistent and thoughtful exchange of ideas.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain a discourse" in casual conversations or informal writing. Its formality can sound stilted or pretentious in settings where a more relaxed tone is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain a discourse" functions as a verb phrase, where "maintain" is the verb and "a discourse" is the object. It describes the action of keeping a conversation or discussion active and ongoing. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "maintain a discourse" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in formal and academic contexts. As Ludwig AI underlines, it emphasizes the ongoing nature of a conversation or discussion. While alternatives such as "sustain a dialogue" or "continue a discussion" exist, "maintain a discourse" carries a specific nuance of formality and structured exchange. It's most appropriate for use in News & Media and scientific writing. Remember to avoid its overuse in casual settings to prevent sounding overly formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustain a dialogue

Replaces "maintain" with "sustain", emphasizing the continuation of an exchange.

continue a discussion

Uses more common vocabulary; "continue" instead of "maintain" and "discussion" instead of "discourse".

foster a conversation

Shifts focus to nurturing the exchange rather than just maintaining it.

preserve a dialogue

Emphasizes protecting the exchange from ending.

uphold a conversation

Suggests actively supporting and defending the exchange.

facilitate a discussion

Focuses on making the exchange easier and more productive.

conduct a dialogue

Emphasizes the action of carrying on a conversation.

hold a discussion

A more straightforward way to express having a conversation.

keep up a discourse

Replaces "maintain" with "keep up", which is slightly less formal.

extend a conversation

Focuses on making the conversation longer or more expansive.

FAQs

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

You can use "maintain a discourse" when discussing the need to continue a conversation or dialogue, especially in a structured or formal setting. For example, "It is important to "maintain a discourse" about climate change to ensure continued progress towards solutions".

What's the difference between "maintain a discourse" and "have a conversation"?

"Maintain a discourse" implies a more formal, structured, and ongoing exchange of ideas, often in academic or professional contexts. "Have a conversation", on the other hand, is a more general term for any exchange of words, regardless of formality.

Which is correct, "maintain a discourse" or "sustain a discourse"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. However, ""maintain a discourse"" emphasizes the act of keeping the exchange going, while "sustain a discourse" implies supporting and prolonging the exchange over a longer period.

What are some alternatives to "maintain a discourse"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "foster a conversation", "continue a discussion", or "preserve a dialogue".