maintain for a while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain for a while" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to keeping something in a certain state or condition for a temporary period. Example: "We need to maintain for a while the current level of productivity to meet our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Although my father's weight eventually crept back on, he learned some healthy eating habits that he was able to maintain for a while, and for the first time in his life, he was able to shop in a regular department store.

The New York Times

You want to find a position that you can maintain for a while.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

S. J. Perelman once visited the odd household he maintained for a while in Hollywood with Dorothy Parker, "in a fog of crapulous laundry, stale cigarette smoke and dirty dishes, sans furniture or cleanliness; one suspects they wet their beds".

The New York Times - Books

This account was discredited almost immediately but maintained for a while by the heavily controlled Mexican press, and is even now repeated by a few former officials and generals.Eyewitness accounts have, however, told a different story, especially about the Olympic Battalion, a military force created to safeguard the Olympic Games that started eight days later.

The Economist

Dt1 expression in determinate soybean plants rapidly decreases concomitant with floral induction, whereas this expression is maintained for a while after flowering starts in indeterminate accessions [ 33].

BMC Plant Biology

Upon 4-OHT stimulation, ND-HBD* cells displayed an obvious increase of CoroNa Green fluorescence, and the fluorescence maintained for a while and then suddenly dropped when the cell membrane rupture occurred as indicated by PI uptake.

Cell Research

"RX can maintain for quite a while," says Nancy Hubbell, a spokeswoman for Lexus.

Forbes

Next, members of the ice group would have do a wall squat (back against the wall, knees bent at a right angle — a painful position to maintain for an extended period), while members of the room-temperature group would be asked to balance on one foot, with the option to hold onto something or switch feet any time they wanted.

The New Yorker

The finding that an ARS in region B supports autonomous replication in S. cerevisiae suggests that the circular form may have been stably maintained for quite a while, resulting in integrations at different locations in the various strains.

Plosone

But Mr. Santorum appears determined to stay in the race and has $1.5 million, enough to maintain him for a while.

The New York Times

Since we started the program, we've seen a difference in their behavior, as they maintain calmness for a while after the class ends.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "maintain for a while" when you want to emphasize the temporary nature of the maintenance. For example, "We can maintain for a while the current system, but a long-term solution is needed."

Common error

Avoid using "maintain for a while" in situations where a simpler verb like "keep" or "continue" would suffice. Overusing "maintain" can make your writing sound stilted. For example, instead of saying "We will maintain for a while the existing policy," consider "We will keep the existing policy for now."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain for a while" functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action performed over a limited period. It suggests the continuation of a specific state or condition, as seen in Ludwig's examples where it describes maintaining healthy eating habits or maintaining calmness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "maintain for a while" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to express the act of sustaining something for a limited duration. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not extremely common, it appears in diverse contexts like News & Media and Science. When writing, it's advisable to use it when you want to emphasize the temporary aspect of something, but be cautious of overusing "maintain" when a simpler verb would suffice. Alternatives include phrases like "keep up for a time" or "sustain for a period".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustain for a period

Focuses on the act of supporting or upholding something for a limited duration, emphasizing continuity.

keep up for a time

Emphasizes the effort required to continue something at a certain level for a temporary duration.

preserve temporarily

Highlights the act of protecting something from decay or change for a finite duration.

hold steady for some time

Implies keeping something at a constant level or state for a certain duration.

retain briefly

Focuses on keeping possession of something for a short duration.

uphold for a short duration

Stresses the act of supporting or defending something for a limited amount of time.

continue briefly

Simply indicates that something will go on for a short time.

keep going for a while

Suggests persistence in an activity for a limited duration.

ensure stability temporarily

Focuses on securing a stable condition for a specific amount of time.

manage to last some time

Emphasizes effort on making something endure for some amount of time.

FAQs

How can I use "maintain for a while" in a sentence?

You can use "maintain for a while" to describe keeping something in a certain condition or state for a limited period. For example, "The company can "sustain growth for a while", but long-term success requires innovation."

What's a synonym for "maintain for a while"?

Synonyms include "keep up for a time", "sustain for a period", or "preserve temporarily", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "maintain for a while" or "maintain temporarily"?

"Maintain for a while" and "maintain temporarily" are similar, but "maintain for a while" often implies a more indefinite or unspecified duration, whereas "maintain temporarily" suggests a more defined or planned short-term period.

When is it appropriate to use "maintain for a while" instead of "maintain permanently"?

Use "maintain for a while" when the situation or state is expected to change or is not intended to last forever. Use "maintain permanently" when the intention is to keep something in its current state indefinitely.