maintain the law

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain the law" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the enforcement or upholding of legal standards and regulations. Example: "It is the responsibility of the police to maintain the law and ensure public safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"The government has the right to maintain the law," he said.

The New York Times

He said Israel should accept the new peace plan to "open the way for the Palestinian Authority to maintain the law".

The New York Times

"There's always that difficulty in terms of the balance that you have to make sure that you maintain the law, you keep law and order, and making sure that you're not restricting people's rights," he said.

The New York Times

"There's always that difficulty in terms of the balance that you have to make sure that you maintain the law, you keep law and order, and making sure that you're not restricting peoples' rights," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said last month in an interview with the International Herald Tribune.

The New York Times

They said they would maintain the law's emphasis on work and would not try to restore the individual entitlement to cash assistance.

The New York Times

The Supreme Court should maintain the law's focus on reliability — and require that courts keep out unreliable identification that is likely to prejudice a verdict.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The oath he was made to take at the coronation differed from that of previous kings in the fourth clause; here Edward was required to promise to maintain the laws that the community "shall have chosen" ("aura eslu").

Wikipedia

Edward II's coronation oath on his succession in 1307 was the first to reflect the king's responsibility to maintain the laws that the community "shall have chosen" ("aura eslu").

Wikipedia

Maintaining the law means leaving Washington with an extra weapon.

The New York Times

The normal result of such fairness in the procedures of making and maintaining the law will be to strengthen the law's efficacy, too.

SEP

In Section 2.3, we shall see how Wittgenstein goes beyond both Hilbert and Brouwer by maintaining the Law of the Excluded Middle in a way that restricts mathematical propositions to expressions that are algorithmically decidable.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "maintain the law", ensure that the context clearly indicates which specific laws or legal systems are being referred to. For example, specify "maintain the environmental law" or "maintain the international law" for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain the law" in contexts where the specific laws being maintained are unclear. Instead of saying "The government must maintain the law", specify which laws or legal principles are at stake.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain the law" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the actions of governments, law enforcement, or other authorities in upholding legal standards. As seen in Ludwig, it reflects a commitment to preserving legal principles.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "maintain the law" is a grammatically correct expression that signifies the act of upholding and enforcing legal standards. Ludwig AI indicates it’s a valid and usable phrase in English, commonly found in News & Media sources, though also appearing in Science and Wiki contexts. While related phrases like "uphold the law" or "enforce the law" offer similar meanings, "maintain the law" provides a specific focus on preserving legal order. To ensure clarity, specify which laws are being maintained. While uncommon, its consistent and authoritative use underscores its importance in formal and legal discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uphold the law

Focuses on actively supporting and defending the law.

enforce the law

Highlights the active implementation and application of the law.

preserve law and order

Emphasizes the broader goal of maintaining societal stability through legal means.

administer justice

Focuses on the fair and impartial application of the law in legal proceedings.

observe the law

Stresses compliance and adherence to legal requirements.

abide by the law

Similar to 'observe the law', but with a slightly stronger emphasis on personal commitment.

safeguard the legal framework

Highlights the protection of the entire system of laws and regulations.

defend the rule of law

Emphasizes the importance of upholding the principle that everyone is subject to the law.

ensure legal compliance

Focuses on guaranteeing that activities and actions adhere to legal standards.

promote the laws

Suggests advocacy and support for the implementation and acceptance of laws.

FAQs

How can I use "maintain the law" in a sentence?

You can use "maintain the law" to describe the act of upholding and enforcing legal standards. For example: "The police are responsible to "maintain the law" and ensure public safety".

What's a good alternative to "maintain the law"?

Alternatives include "uphold the law", "enforce the law", or "preserve law and order" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "maintain the law" or "uphold the law"?

Both "maintain the law" and "uphold the law" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to "maintain the law"?

To "maintain the law" means to ensure that laws are respected, enforced, and upheld, preventing them from being undermined or disregarded. It encompasses both the act of enforcing existing laws and preserving the overall legal system.