maintain position

USAGE SUMMARY

"maintain position" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to holding or keeping a particular position or location, usually relative to other people or things. For example, "The soldiers were instructed to maintain their position until further notice."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Larger fish can better maintain position in larger streams, and also are favored by the positive relationship between female body size and fecundity (reviewed in Quinn 2005).

Evolutionary Applications

The trick is to maintain position during this time, in hopes that the whale surfaces nearby.

The New York Times

Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) thrusters are presented to maintain position by overcoming stratospheric winds.

Acta Astronautica

If the station is reduced to just one working gyroscope, it will have to rely on small steering rockets to maintain position.

The New York Times

Kalman filtering is applied to maintain position best estimates, which are then fused with data coming from the observation of landmarks.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

This control authority is combined with an imperfect model of ocean currents to attempt to force the floats to maintain position.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

And for investors holding the stock, I would be inclined to maintain positions.

Forbes

However, investors holding the stock should maintain positions, and these shares would look especially attractive on pullbacks below $50.

Forbes

Rather, we generally maintain positions in securities for a couple of days to a couple of months.

Forbes

The United States and Russia, primarily, as they both maintain positions that civil society opposes.

Huffington Post

Robinson said his other players were overaggressive and lost focus on maintaining position.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "maintain position", be clear about the specific location or status they should keep. For example: "The defensive line must maintain position to prevent the opponent from scoring."

Common error

Avoid using "maintain position" when the context implies active progress or advancement. The phrase denotes holding steady, not moving forward. For example, avoid saying "The company will maintain its position by launching new products" if the aim is to improve their standing in the market.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain position" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of keeping or preserving a specific location, rank, or status. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, from physical positioning to abstract concepts like market share.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maintain position" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of keeping something in its current state, whether it's a physical location, a rank, or a status. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and commonly used. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, from formal reports to casual conversation. While it's important to avoid using it when forward progress is implied, understanding its core meaning ensures clear and effective communication. Semantically related phrases include "hold one's ground" and "keep one's place", offering alternative ways to express a similar idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold one's ground

This alternative implies resisting pressure to move from a current location.

keep one's place

This alternative emphasizes retaining a specific rank or order.

stay put

This is a more informal way of saying to remain in the same location.

hold the line

This suggests defending a boundary or limit against encroachment.

stand firm

This conveys a sense of resoluteness in keeping a position or belief.

remain stationary

This emphasizes the lack of movement from a current location.

preserve one's station

This highlights the act of keeping a particular status or rank in society.

uphold one's status

This stresses the effort needed to maintain a current level or achievement.

defend one's territory

This alternative focuses on protecting a geographical area or domain.

keep status quo

This implies that efforts are made to not change the actual state.

FAQs

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

You can use "maintain position" to describe holding a specific location or rank. For example, "The troops were ordered to maintain their position at all costs." or "The company struggled to maintain its position in the market."

What does "maintain position" mean in a sports context?

In sports, "maintain position" often refers to holding a certain place in a race or game, or defensively holding a specific area. For example, "The defender needs to maintain position to prevent the opponent from scoring."

What's the difference between "hold position" and "maintain position"?

"Maintain position" implies a continuous effort to keep a current location or status, while "hold position" suggests a more immediate act of defending a location against a threat. The terms are often interchangeable, but "maintain" has a connotation of ongoing effort.

What can I say instead of "maintain position" in a formal setting?

In formal contexts, you can use alternatives such as "preserve status", "uphold rank", or "sustain location" to convey a similar meaning with greater formality.