maintain and expand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain and expand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the need to keep something in its current state while also increasing its size, scope, or influence. Example: "Our goal is to maintain and expand our customer base over the next year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Gain, maintain and expand — that's the strategy," he said.

The New York Times

They could not afford to maintain and expand service without mingling their resources.

The New York Times

Capriles, who mostly attacked Maduro for not being Chávez, pledged to maintain and expand the misiones.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This is another revenue stream that helps us maintain and expand what we already do during challenging economic times".

The New York Times

But the student had to be willing to learn, and to maintain and expand the relationships he inherited.

The New York Times

Hulu's future hinges in large part on its ability to maintain and expand its deals for programming.

The New York Times

But that is futile: naturally, Russia wants to maintain and expand its pre-eminence in the European market.

The Economist

So schools need additional fund-raising to cover financial aid, maintain and expand facilities and broaden program offerings.

The New York Times

WITH growth in the wireless market slowing, Alltel is turning to a sophisticated online campaign to maintain and expand its customer base.

The New York Times

The Republican Party will fight tooth and nail to maintain and expand its domination of state legislatures, a battle Democrats have not fully engaged.

The New York Times

But Congress can help by providing more capital funding to maintain and expand the largest public transit system in the country.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing strategic objectives, use "maintain and expand" to convey a balanced approach of preserving existing strengths while pursuing growth.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain and expand" multiple times within the same paragraph. Seek synonyms to vary your language and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain and expand" functions as a compound verb phrase, typically used to describe a dual strategy of preserving existing assets while simultaneously promoting growth or increasing scope. Ludwig confirms this usage, showing its prevalence in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maintain and expand" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a strategy of both preserving existing assets and promoting growth. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is frequently used across diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. Its neutral to professional register makes it suitable for various forms of communication. While versatile, it's important to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "maintain and extend" or "preserve and expand" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain and extend

Uses "extend" which broadens the scope, suggesting reaching further rather than just growing in size.

maintain and enlarge

Uses a synonym of "expand" to indicate increasing the size.

preserve and expand

Replaces "maintain" with "preserve", emphasizing the act of keeping something safe from harm or change before growth.

retain and expand

Emphasizes keeping something that you already have before growth.

sustain and expand

Highlights the act of supporting or upholding something during and before the growing action.

stay and expand

It suggests remaining in a current position as a foundation for further growth or reach.

manage and expand

Suggests skillful handling or administration while growing.

develop and maintain

Shifts focus to creation and upkeep, implying a project or system.

grow and protect

Emphasizes the dual aspect of increasing in size or influence while ensuring safety or security.

uphold and enhance

Indicates supporting or defending something while simultaneously improving its quality or value.

FAQs

How can I use "maintain and expand" in a sentence?

You can use "maintain and expand" to describe a strategy that focuses on preserving current assets while also growing. For example, "The company aims to maintain and expand its market share".

What are some alternatives to "maintain and expand"?

Alternatives include "maintain and extend", "preserve and expand", or "sustain and grow", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use both "maintain" and "expand" together?

While they can be used separately, using "maintain and expand" emphasizes a dual approach: not only keeping something in its current state but also actively increasing it. It highlights both preservation and growth.

What's the difference between "maintain and expand" and "grow and improve"?

"Maintain and expand" focuses on preserving the current state while increasing size or scope. "Grow and improve", on the other hand, emphasizes increasing in size or quality along with enhancements. The latter implies a focus on betterment rather than just preservation.