maintain steady

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain steady" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to maintaining consistency or stability, such as in the sentence: "I have been trying to maintain a steady pace while running."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

• Conserve momentum: instead of coasting on a downward slope, maintain steady engine revs.

The New York Times

Growth is predicted to maintain steady at over 2 per cent per year for the immediate future.

Independent

Continual movements of the eyes occur even when an effort is made to maintain steady fixation of an object.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The student is continually urged to keep calm, maintain steady nerves, and not to jump to conclusions.

The New Yorker

He strongly hinted at further economic stimulus, saying that, "We will boost domestic demand and maintain steady and robust growth as well as basic price stability".

The New York Times

China must maintain steady growth while also carrying out adjustments needed to ensure healthy development in the long-term, he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Optimal power flow (OPF) is also used in this paper to maintain steady-state operation of wind integrated system with mitigation of cost of generation and losses.

Renewables: Wind, Water, and Solar

The culture was diluted as needed to maintain steady-state growth.

Plosone

We next investigated whether cone inner segments express store-operated Ca2+-permeable channels that work in concert with SERCA transporters to maintain steady-state cytosolic [Ca2+]i.

Plosone

This was consistent with genetic data showing that NF-κB1 p105 and ABIN-2 are essential to maintain steady-state levels of TPL-2 protein [ 5, 7– 9].

Biochemical Journal

During exposures, PM2.5 concentrations were continuously measured and dynamically adjusted to maintain steady-state conditions [tapered element oscillating microbalance (TEOM); 1400a PM2.5; Rupprecht & Patashnick Co., Albany, NY].

Environmental Health Perspectives

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing economic or business contexts, use "maintain steady" to convey the idea of stability and consistent performance over time. For example: "The company aimed to maintain steady growth despite market fluctuations."

Common error

Don't limit "maintain steady" to only describe physical processes; it can also apply to abstract concepts like "relationships" or "progress". Instead of saying, "He tried to maintain steady progress in his fitness journey", consider diversifying to phrases like "ensure consistent advancement" or "foster continuous improvement" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain steady" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It typically describes the action of keeping something at a consistent or stable level. Ludwig examples showcase its use across diverse contexts, from economic growth to eye fixation, indicating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "maintain steady" is a grammatically sound and versatile verb phrase used to describe the action of preserving something at a consistent level. As Ludwig AI explains, it’s widely applicable across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. The phrase carries a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. While alternatives exist, "maintain steady" effectively conveys the idea of active stabilization and consistency, making it a frequently used and easily understood expression. It’s essential to avoid overuse in limited contexts by broadening the application and seeking other synonymous expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustain a consistent level

Focuses on sustaining consistency, emphasizing the level more than the process of maintaining.

preserve a stable state

Emphasizes preserving a stable condition rather than the active process of maintaining.

keep at a constant pace

Highlights maintaining a consistent pace, suitable for activities involving speed or progress.

hold a firm position

Implies maintaining a strong stance or condition, rather than a general steady state.

uphold a regular rhythm

Focuses on maintaining a rhythm or pattern, often used in contexts like music or routine.

ensure stable operation

Highlights ensuring stability in the context of operations or processes.

secure continuous progress

Emphasizes securing progress, which may not necessarily be steady but consistently forward.

retain an even keel

This idiom emphasizes maintaining balance and stability, particularly in challenging situations.

continue uninterrupted flow

This alternative emphasizes a continuous and smooth flow, without disruptions.

foster consistent development

Focuses on promoting steady development or growth over time.

FAQs

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

You can use "maintain steady" to describe keeping something at a consistent level. For instance, "The government is working to "maintain steady" economic growth".

What are some alternatives to "maintain steady"?

Alternatives include "sustain a consistent level", "preserve a stable state", or "keep at a constant pace", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "maintain steady"?

Yes, "maintain steady" is grammatically correct. "Maintain" is a verb, and "steady" functions as an adjective describing what is being maintained.

What is the difference between "maintain steady" and "maintain constant"?

"Maintain steady" implies keeping something stable without significant fluctuations, while "maintain constant" suggests keeping something at an unchanging level. While similar, "steady" allows for minor variations that "constant" does not.