maintain myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain myself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is discussing self-care, personal well-being, or self-management. Example: "In order to stay productive, I need to find time to maintain myself both physically and mentally."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"I'm fighting for them," he said, adding, "I am working to maintain myself here and my family there.

The New York Times

There is a reason that I maintain myself as independent and a reason that I always try to take chances.

The New York Times

I limit my children's access to a white-list I drew up and maintain myself, and it costs nowt.

The Guardian - Opinion

I hope I can maintain myself – that I wouldn't become pathetic and needy, and the worst part of myself come out in adversity.

The Guardian - Film

So they found an acting school for me, which they paid for, $10,000 for two years, and I was getting $90 a month, which was enough for me to maintain myself.

The Guardian - Film

His growing success as an illustrator brought Hogarth little satisfaction, for it entailed unwelcome dependence on the booksellers who had exploited his father; he later insisted that engraving "did little more than maintain myself in the usual gaities of life but (was) in all a punctual paymaster".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

'Nowadays I'm maintaining myself for me, not for someone else.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Instead of buying something where I have to keep it and maintain it myself, I am out of the car in four, five, six months.

The New York Times

This is my first casino job; this time it's a job I do need to maintain for myself and my family.

Vice

I had summer jobs before, nothing serious, this is my first casino job, this time it's a job I do need to maintain for myself and my family.

Vice

Here is the main difference I made in my life: While I do use these machines to help support me work more efficiently, I cut myself off from them as well to maintain balance within myself.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "maintain myself" when you want to emphasize the ongoing effort required to sustain your physical, emotional, or financial well-being. For instance, "To avoid burnout, it's crucial to actively "maintain myself" by incorporating regular breaks and self-care activities into my routine".

Common error

Avoid adding unnecessary adjectives such as "proper" or "good" before "myself" when using the phrase. The verb "maintain" already implies keeping something in a satisfactory state. So instead of writing "maintain proper myself", simply use ""maintain myself"".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain myself" functions as a reflexive verb phrase, where the action of maintaining is directed back to the subject. Ludwig AI indicates it is grammatically correct and commonly used in different contexts. Examples show its use in discussions about financial support, personal well-being, and independence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maintain myself" is a grammatically sound phrase that signifies the act of sustaining one's own well-being, whether physically, emotionally, or financially. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and utility. While "take care of myself" is a more common alternative, "maintain myself" is appropriate when emphasizing the continuous effort required. It appears most frequently in news and media, science, and formal business contexts, and its register is generally neutral. Remember to avoid redundant phrasing such as "maintain proper myself". Overall, it is a useful expression for conveying self-reliance and ongoing self-care.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take care of myself

Focuses on the act of providing care and attention to one's own well-being.

look after myself

Emphasizes the responsibility of ensuring one's own safety and health.

support myself

Highlights the ability to provide for one's own needs, especially financially.

sustain myself

Implies the act of providing what is needed to continue existing or thriving.

preserve myself

Suggests protecting oneself from harm or deterioration.

keep myself healthy

Specifically emphasizes the maintenance of one's physical well-being.

manage my own affairs

Focuses on handling one's personal matters effectively.

be self-sufficient

Highlights independence and the ability to meet one's own needs without external help.

remain independent

Stresses the importance of staying free from external control or influence.

hold myself together

Emphasizes maintaining emotional stability during difficult times.

FAQs

What does it mean to "maintain myself"?

To "maintain myself" means to take care of your own needs, whether they are physical, emotional, or financial. It implies a continuous effort to keep yourself in a good condition.

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

You can use "maintain myself" in sentences like, "I need to earn enough to "maintain myself" and my family," or "It's important to "maintain myself" physically and mentally to stay productive."

What are some alternatives to "maintain myself"?

Alternatives to "maintain myself" include "take care of myself", "look after myself", or "support myself", depending on the context.

Is it more common to say "maintain myself" or "take care of myself"?

While both phrases are correct, "take care of myself" is generally more common in everyday conversation. "Maintain myself" might be used when emphasizing the sustained effort required for self-preservation.