maintain status quo

USAGE SUMMARY

'maintain status quo' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
This phrase is used in a variety of contexts, typically to refer to keeping things the way they are. For example, "The board decided to maintain status quo for the company's organizational structure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"We are trying to maintain status quo," he said.

The New York Times

The new rules permitting duopoly and single ownership of both a newspaper and a TV station thus allow Tribune to maintain status quo.

The New York Times

The lines represent paths to limit temperature increase by transitioning to a fossil fuel-free future, or maintain status quo and create an increasingly warm and uninhabitable planet.

Harvard University

But, she said, many leaders expect that similar efforts will crop up in other cities. "It's scary to think that we would have had to launch a political campaign to maintain status quo," she said.

The New York Times

Many of us are tempted to maintain status quo.

Forbes

However, the proposed budget would not maintain status quo across the board.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

But "states have a vested interest in maintaining status quo," says Naylor.

Forbes

The participant group will be participating in a formal innovation education, while the nonparticipant group will be conducting business as usual or maintaining status quo.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Especially in post - colonial South Korea, U.S. occupation forces administered on the logic of maintaining status quo, which was quite different from their democratization policy in Japan.

Asian Journal of German and European Studies

One group will be participating in the innovation training, while the other group will be continuing work as usual or maintaining status quo.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

We are at the start of the specialist era in Sports and Exercise Medicine, and maintaining status quo is unacceptable.

British Journal of Sports Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "maintain status quo", ensure the context clearly defines the specific situation or system being preserved. Vague use can lead to misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain status quo" simply because change is difficult or uncomfortable. Instead, evaluate whether preserving the current state truly benefits the situation or if innovation would yield better results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain status quo" functions as a verb phrase often used with an object. It describes the action of preserving an existing state of affairs or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "maintain status quo" is a common expression used to describe the act of preserving the current state of affairs. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across diverse fields such as news, science, and business. While the phrase itself is neutral, the decision to "maintain status quo" can carry positive or negative connotations, depending on the context. Alternatives such as "preserve the current state" or "keep things as they are" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. It's important to consider whether preserving the existing situation is truly beneficial or if change is necessary for improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preserve the current state

Focuses on preventing alteration of the present situation.

keep things as they are

Emphasizes continuation of the existing condition.

continue as is

Simple instruction to persist without modification.

hold the line

Suggests resistance to change or progress.

avoid any changes

Emphasizes the prevention of modifications.

uphold the existing order

Implies active support for the current arrangement.

retain the present form

Concentrates on keeping the structure unchanged.

sustain present conditions

Highlights the effort to prolong the current circumstances.

leave untouched

Stresses the desire not to alter something.

keep the ball rolling

Implies a wish to prevent any alteration in the current progress of a project.

FAQs

How can I use "maintain status quo" in a sentence?

You can use "maintain status quo" to describe efforts to keep things as they are. For example, "The company decided to maintain status quo until the economy improves".

What does it mean to "maintain status quo"?

To "maintain status quo" means to keep things the way they currently are, without making any changes or alterations.

What are some alternatives to "maintain status quo"?

Alternatives include "preserve the current state", "keep things as they are", or "hold the line", depending on the context.

Is it always a good idea to "maintain status quo"?

Not necessarily. While "maintain status quo" can provide stability, it's important to evaluate whether the current state is truly optimal or if change would lead to improvements.