maintain the number

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain the number" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to keeping a specific quantity or figure constant over time. Example: "To ensure the project's success, we need to maintain the number of participants throughout the study."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Bill Ryan, the speedway's owner, has tried to maintain the number of competitors in all divisions by limiting the expensive enhancements drivers make.

The New York Times - Travel

My natural default setting is to "pray for rain" obviously this is not going to maintain the number 1 spot for England.

The Guardian - Sport

They said ING had agreed to maintain the number of Aetna employees at close to current levels, with future reductions mainly from attrition as employees retire or leave.

The New York Times

Hewlett-Packard, for one, said it is doing buybacks to maintain the number of shares outstanding after employees cash in their stock options.

The Washington Post

Mr. Levy has staked his reputation on successful summer programs to maintain the number of promotions and to ensure that students who are promoted can actually handle the academic work.

The New York Times

The number of belugas in captivity in the United States is about 30 and with some of the popular animals getting older, the institutions want to be able to maintain the number they have.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Looking past the fact that it was near impossible for Lin to maintain the numbers he was posting during the Linsanity epoch, his metrics shouldn't be ignored.

The Washington Post

"This is about cost cutting and saving money and the right thing is to maintain the numbers".

BBC

Matt Gould, chairman of the Suffolk Police Federation, said: "We need to maintain the numbers that we've got to maintain the service that we provide".

BBC

"We aim to maintain the numbers around the 32,000-33,000 mark, which I think is about right, and we are certainly still above the number of officers in 2008".

BBC

The surge was expected and the real test for NBC will be whether they can maintain the numbers.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "maintain the number", ensure it's clear what you are referring to and why maintaining that specific quantity is important.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain the number" without specifying what the number refers to. Always provide clear context to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain the number" functions as a verb phrase that typically introduces an action aimed at preserving a specific quantity or count. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "maintain the number" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression for describing efforts to keep a specific quantity constant. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is applicable across diverse contexts, including science, news, and business. The analysis reveals its prevalence in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian. For alternative phrasing, consider using "conserve the number" or "retain the number" to add nuanced meaning. When using "maintain the number", always provide context to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conserve the number

Emphasizes careful preservation of the quantity.

retain the number

Focuses on keeping the quantity without loss or reduction.

sustain the number

Highlights the ability to keep the quantity going over time.

preserve the number

Stresses the action of protecting the quantity from change.

keep the number constant

Directly states the aim of not allowing the quantity to vary.

hold the number steady

Implies keeping the quantity stable and preventing fluctuations.

stabilize the number

Suggests preventing the quantity from decreasing.

uphold the number

Indicates actively supporting the quantity at its current level.

prevent a decrease in the number

Focuses on stopping any reduction in the quantity.

ensure the number stays the same

Emphasizes guaranteeing that the quantity does not change.

FAQs

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

You can use "maintain the number" to describe efforts to keep a quantity constant, such as "The company aims to maintain the number of employees despite budget cuts".

What are some alternatives to "maintain the number"?

Alternatives include "conserve the number", "retain the number", or "preserve the number", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "maintain the number" or "increase the number"?

The choice depends on your intent. "Maintain the number" implies keeping it constant, while "increase the number" suggests a desire to grow it. The best choice depends on the context.

How does "maintain the number" differ from "improve the number"?

"Maintain the number" focuses on keeping a quantity at its current level, while "improve the number" implies enhancing a metric or statistic. They are used in different contexts with distinct goals.