maintain being

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain being" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used in philosophical or abstract discussions about existence or identity, but clarity is important. Example: "To truly understand oneself, one must learn to maintain being in the face of external pressures."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"My standards are much higher than I can maintain being at my garden only two days a week.

The New York Times

Tennant points out the moral complexity behind Kilgrave's power: how would you maintain being a good person if you could have whatever you want, get people to do whatever you want them to do?

Independent

The FCC wants a national high-speed Internet wireless network, but you maintain being regional is the path for Clearwire.

Forbes

I try to maintain being a person that any of my favorite writers would not hate.

Huffington Post

I was able to maintain being very calm and understanding while I worked to resolve the issue.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Parliamentary sovereignty, they maintain, is supreme.

The Guardian

What they are struggling to maintain is relevance.

The New York Times

That, they maintain, is the girl that girls should see.

The New York Times - Magazine

One ritual I do maintain is afternoon tea.

The New York Times

Zurs, they maintain, is absolutely safe from natural catastrophes.

The New Yorker

The tough part, some maintain, is internal politics.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "maintain being", ensure the context is philosophical or abstract to avoid sounding awkward. In simpler contexts, consider alternatives like "continue to be" or "remain".

Common error

Avoid using "maintain being" in everyday situations where simpler verbs like "remain" or "stay" would be more appropriate. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain being" functions as a verb phrase, where "maintain" acts as the main verb and "being" as a gerund functioning as a noun. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in describing the act of preserving a state or quality. Ludwig indicates the phrase is uncommon and may sound awkward.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically correct, the phrase "maintain being" is uncommon and may sound unnatural in many contexts. Ludwig AI underlines its limited usage. It's best suited for philosophical or abstract discussions. Alternatives such as "sustain existence" or "preserve one's state" might be more appropriate in simpler scenarios. The phrase appears most frequently in news media, but its overall infrequency warrants careful consideration before use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustain existence

Replaces "maintain" with "sustain" and "being" with "existence" emphasizing continuation of life.

preserve one's state

Substitutes "maintain" with "preserve" and focuses on upholding a particular condition.

uphold one's identity

Replaces "being" with "identity", highlighting the preservation of self-concept.

continue to exist

Breaks down "maintain being" into a simpler expression of ongoing existence.

keep existing

Uses a more direct and less formal way of expressing continuous existence.

retain one's nature

Focuses on preserving the inherent characteristics or qualities of something.

hold onto existence

Implies a struggle or effort to continue living or existing.

persevere in existence

Adds a sense of determination and resilience in continuing to exist.

ensure continued existence

Emphasizes the act of making certain that existence persists.

safeguard one's being

Highlights the protection and preservation of one's fundamental self or essence.

FAQs

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

While not very common, you might use "maintain being" in philosophical discussions, for instance, "To truly understand oneself, one must learn to "maintain being" in the face of external pressures." Consider more common alternatives like "continue to be" or "remain" for everyday contexts.

What are some alternatives to "maintain being"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "sustain existence", "preserve one's state", or "uphold one's identity". These alternatives offer similar meanings with varying degrees of formality.

Is "maintain being" grammatically correct?

Yes, "maintain being" is grammatically sound, but it's not a common or idiomatic phrase. Its usage is typically confined to philosophical or highly abstract contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that while grammatically correct, it is not frequent.

When is it appropriate to use "maintain being"?

It's most appropriate in philosophical or abstract discussions where you want to emphasize the act of preserving or continuing one's existence or state of being. In most other contexts, simpler phrases will sound more natural. Ludwig can assist in determining the optimal phrasing.