maintain against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express the idea of preserving or upholding something in opposition to a challenge or threat. Example: "The organization must maintain against any potential risks that could jeopardize its mission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

This code, seven years in the making, dictates the amounts of capital that banks must maintain against different types of loans and investments.

The Economist

But boiled down, the Basel III measures approved on Tuesday focus on strengthening capital, the cushion that banks must maintain against losses.

The New York Times

Now and then they do a few other animal movements, some based on Nijinsky's "Faun" choreography, but mainly they jog, and the urgent pulse they maintain against the slow legato lushness of Debussy's famous prelude creates a deliberately peculiar emphasis.

The New York Times

The Lions scored 20 straight points in the first 15 1/2 minutes of the second half to take a 30-20 lead, which they were easily able to maintain against the shaky Rams, who had won seven straight games.

The New York Times - Sports

It seems there is a genetic correlation between yield and plant height, cultivated plants with water stress resistance is able to maintain against reduced plant height.

International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture

We show that while greenhouse gas emissions would decrease significantly with the aggressive introduction of cleaner generation technology, long-term reductions are difficult to maintain against ongoing growth in consumption.

Energy Policy

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Portland scored a season-high 37 points in the first quarter to move out to an 11-point lead that they easily maintained against the Pistons.

The New York Times - Sports

The Kremlin maintained, against all evidence, that Russia's military campaign vigorously targeted ISIS, with the primary intention of destroying that group.

The New Yorker

Strauss advocated a close exegesis of those texts and maintained, against historical relativism, that great works of philosophy can provide the careful reader with universal and eternal truths.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Charges were maintained against former minister Eric Woerth, who was Sarkozy's treasurer in the 2007 campaign; Bettencourt's former companion, the society photographer François-Marie Banier; her lawyer Pascal Wilhelm; her financial advisor Patrice de Maistre, and six others.

The Guardian

Third, dances and plays are indissolubly linked to the recurring cycles of local festivals and rituals whereby the well-being of the community is maintained against constantly threatening malicious forces in the spirit world.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "maintain against", ensure that the subject is capable of active defense or preservation. For instance, "the country must maintain against foreign threats" is more appropriate than "the fragile vase must maintain against damage".

Common error

Avoid using "maintain against" in passive contexts where the subject is unable to exert influence. For example, instead of saying "the old house must maintain against the storm", consider using "withstand" or "endure".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "maintain against" is as a verb phrase acting as a predicate. It expresses an action of upholding or preserving something in opposition to a challenge or threat. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

43%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "maintain against" is a grammatically sound verb phrase that signifies actively preserving or defending something in opposition to a threat. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and appears in diverse contexts, ranging from news reports to scientific publications. The usage is relatively uncommon but clear, indicating a sustained effort to resist adverse conditions. When using this expression, it's essential to ensure the subject is capable of active resistance, avoiding passive or inappropriate applications. Consider related alternatives like ""preserve against"" or ""safeguard against"" for nuanced variations of the same concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preserve against

Emphasizes keeping something intact or unchanged despite potential harm.

sustain against

Highlights the act of supporting or upholding something to prevent its decline.

safeguard against

Focuses on protective measures taken to ensure something remains secure.

defend against

Implies active protection from an external threat or attack.

protect against

A general term for shielding something from harm or damage.

guard against

Suggests vigilance and caution to prevent unwanted occurrences.

shield from

Conveys the idea of creating a barrier to prevent something from being affected.

uphold against

Stresses the act of maintaining something in a position of prominence or strength.

resist

Focuses on withstanding the effect or action of something.

withstand

Implies the ability to endure or survive a difficult situation or force.

FAQs

What does "maintain against" mean?

The phrase "maintain against" means to preserve or uphold something in the face of opposition or a challenge. It suggests an active effort to keep something intact despite potential threats or adverse conditions.

What can I say instead of "maintain against"?

You can use alternatives like "preserve against", "safeguard against", or "defend against" depending on the specific context.

How do I use "maintain against" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure the subject of the sentence is capable of actively defending or preserving something. For example, "The fortress must maintain against enemy attacks" is a correct usage.

Is there a difference between "maintain against" and "protect against"?

While both imply defense, "maintain against" suggests a sustained effort to uphold something, whereas "protect against" more broadly covers shielding from harm. "Maintain against" is about preserving the status quo, while "protect against" is about preventing harm from occurring.