maintain the ground

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain the ground" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is discussing holding a position, either literally in a physical sense or metaphorically in a debate or argument. Example: "During the negotiation, it was crucial for us to maintain the ground we had gained in previous discussions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The owners stated they would limit capacity in the basement lap dancing club to 20 people and maintain the ground floor area as a restaurant.

BBC

Considering the tesseral resonances and the luni-solar perturbations, a control approach is proposed to maintain the ground track for the long-term evolution.

Advances in Space Research

We show that, in order to maintain the ground track unchanged, the key parameters are the orbital period and the argument of perigee.

Acta Astronautica

"We're going to the fans saying 'help us' we need voluntary workers, skilled people like electricians and plumbers to help us maintain the ground and save lots of money".

BBC

(Adapting three to two prong as depicted above is not recommended as the grounding can help dissipate unwanted microwave energy. It's also safer electrically to maintain the ground).

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But little was done to maintain the grounds.

The New York Times

"Everyone from the people who maintain the grounds to skilled lab technicians.

The New York Times

To help maintain the grounds, the university has recently hired a development director, Bob Bledsoe, to solicit donations.

The New York Times

I am spending a day helping O'Donoghue to maintain the grounds of a small estate in East Sussex.

The Guardian - Money

The owners have a fantastic team of people who maintain the grounds, manage the woodland and carry out any building works.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The tree was planted in honour of Kozak by the Villa Grimaldi Foundation, an organisation set up to maintain the grounds as a memorial.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing long-term projects, use "maintain the ground" to emphasize consistent effort and resource allocation to avoid decline or degradation.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain the ground" in overly abstract discussions where more precise vocabulary related to preservation or continuation of intangible concepts would be more appropriate. Choose words that accurately capture the nuance of your meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain the ground" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of keeping an area or position in good condition or preserving a state. Ludwig examples illustrate both literal and figurative usages.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maintain the ground" is a grammatically correct phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, used to describe the act of preserving a physical or metaphorical area or position. While its frequency is uncommon, it finds its primary contexts in news, science, and wiki sources. The phrase emphasizes sustained effort and resource allocation, and while versatile, should be used with awareness of its implications in different contexts. Using related phrases and avoiding overuse in abstract contexts can improve clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preserve the foundation

Emphasizes preserving a basic or essential element, shifting from a specific ground to a general foundation.

uphold the basis

Focuses on supporting or defending the core principles or reasons, rather than a physical area.

keep up the upkeep

Highlights the continuous effort to maintain something, such as property or equipment, with a focus on repair and maintenance.

sustain the status quo

Implies maintaining the current state or condition, often in a social or political context, which is a broader application.

continue the protection

Stresses the ongoing effort to safeguard something, changing the maintenance aspect to a protection focus.

conserve the landscape

Specifically relates to preserving natural features, limiting the broader usability of the original phrase.

retain the properties

Highlights maintaining characteristics or qualities, moving the focus from a physical ground to abstract properties.

safeguard the foothold

Refers to protecting a small, but important advantage or position, adding a protective aspect.

secure the premises

Focuses on ensuring the safety and security of a location, emphasizing protection against threats.

control the territory

Stresses dominance and management over an area, shifting the meaning toward power and authority.

FAQs

How can "maintain the ground" be used in a sentence?

You can use "maintain the ground" to describe preserving a physical area, like "The team worked hard to maintain the ground for the upcoming game". It can also be used metaphorically, such as "The company needs to innovate to maintain the ground it has gained in the market".

What are some alternative ways to say "maintain the ground"?

Alternatives include phrases like "preserve the foundation", "uphold the basis", or "keep up the upkeep", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "maintain the ground" or "secure the ground"?

The best choice depends on the context. "Maintain the ground" implies ongoing effort to keep something in its current state. "Secure the ground" suggests establishing control or protecting it from a threat.

What is the difference between "maintain the ground" and "retain the ground"?

"Maintain the ground" focuses on the process of upkeep to preserve something. "Retain the ground" emphasizes holding onto a position or condition that already exists.