maintain busy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain busy" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used expression and may confuse readers. A more appropriate phrase would be "stay busy" or "keep busy." Example: "To be productive, I try to maintain busy with various tasks throughout the day."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Patrick Street is an occasional alliance of Irish musicians who maintain busy solo careers.

The New York Times

Both White House contenders have been deeply engaged in debate preparations even as they maintain busy schedules on the campaign trail.

The Washington Post

Between the travelling and the canteen PAs came compulsory gym time, photoshoots, "media training", interviews and recording, as well as constant pressure to maintain busy Twitter and Facebook accounts and create "unique content" with smartphones and flipcams.

The Guardian - Music

But the Ron Odrich Quartet, which plays every Thursday from 5 30 to 8 30 P.M. at Charlie O's, 39 East 49th Street, includes a surgeon and a periodontist who maintain busy practices and still find time to play with the group at least once a week.

The New York Times - Arts

Many factors contribute to the challenge, including the fact that potential lay leaders maintain busy lifestyles, juggling a full (if not extended) workday, together with familial and other responsibilities.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

He is certified as a mediator and maintains busy law practices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Huffington Post

Mr. Langerfeld, a master repairman, would keep busy maintaining the motel, while Mrs. Langerfeld, a fastidious record keeper, would handle the books.

The New York Times

This realization has helped me maintain a busy, productive academic life.

The New York Times - Health

There's no reason why I can't maintain a busy job as a film critic and also maintain my literacy.

The Guardian

NASA needs to launch at night so it can maintain the busy flight schedule to complete the space station by 2010, when the shuttle fleet is scheduled to be retired.

The Washington Post

Rather than accepting bad mood as a necessary sacrifice to maintain our busy lifestyles, maybe we should take it as a symptom itself, of a habit that needs to change for the sake of long-term health.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for more common and grammatically accepted alternatives like "stay busy" or "keep busy" to ensure clarity and avoid potential misinterpretations.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain" with "busy" as it's not a standard collocation. "Maintain" typically refers to preserving a condition or state, whereas "busy" describes a state of being active. Use "stay" or "keep" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain busy" functions as a verb phrase attempting to describe the action of keeping oneself occupied. However, as Ludwig AI points out, this is not a standard or grammatically correct usage in English. The intended meaning is typically better conveyed using alternative phrasing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "maintain busy" might seem intuitive, it's not considered standard English. As Ludwig AI explains, it's more appropriate to use alternatives like "stay busy" or "keep busy". Though some examples exist across various sources, the phrase's grammatical incorrectness and limited frequency make it advisable to avoid using "maintain busy" in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay busy

Uses a more common verb to convey the idea of remaining occupied.

keep occupied

Focuses on the state of being engaged and not idle.

remain active

Emphasizes a continued state of doing things and not being passive.

stay engaged

Highlights the involvement and attention in various activities.

keep up a hectic pace

Implies a fast and intense level of activity.

maintain a full schedule

Focuses on managing time effectively to accommodate many commitments.

have a lot on one's plate

Idiomatic expression for being very busy with responsibilities.

juggle multiple commitments

Highlights the balancing act of handling various responsibilities.

fill one's time

A general way of saying to occupy time with activities.

devote oneself to many tasks

Emphasizes dedication and commitment to several different activities.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "maintain busy"?

You can use more common alternatives like "stay busy", "keep busy", or "remain active" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "maintain busy" or "stay busy"?

"Stay busy" is the more grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. "Maintain busy" is not standard English.

How can I use the phrase "stay busy" in a sentence?

Example: "To avoid boredom, I try to stay busy with various hobbies and activities."

What's the difference between "maintain a schedule" and "maintain busy"?

"Maintain a schedule" refers to keeping a planned set of activities. "Maintain busy" is not a standard phrase; instead, use "stay busy" to mean keeping active.