maintain the pace

USAGE SUMMARY

'maintain the pace' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which a person or thing is continuing to do something at a set or consistent rate. For example: "The runners all worked together to maintain the pace throughout the race."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It will be difficult for successors to maintain the pace.

The New York Times

Does "Curse of the Were-Rabbit" maintain the pace?

The New Yorker

"He was trying to use me to maintain the pace," Makau said.

The New York Times - Sports

But its financial system is having to pump harder to maintain the pace.

The Economist

"But this is a long-term project and we are going to have to maintain the pace of restoration".

The New York Times

"That said, I don't strive for volume, but want to control the growth and maintain the pace".

The New York Times

If they were to maintain the pace at which they have hit them, they would hit 258.

The New York Times - Sports

To maintain the pace of development set by Moore's law, semiconductor manufactures continue to shrink and redesign transistor architectures delivering better device performance.

IFAC-PapersOnLine

There is little doubt both will pull away from the pack in the SPL as their 'rivals' lack the consistency and staying power required to maintain the pace.

The Guardian - Sport

Several of Clarke's friends suggested to me that it would have been impossible for her to raise kids and maintain the pace of her work.

The New Yorker

SUBSTITUTIONS United were unable to maintain the pace they started with, and this was recognised with the introduction of Memphis Depay for Mata.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "maintain the pace", ensure the context clearly defines what 'pace' refers to, whether it's speed, progress, or a rate of activity. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain the pace" when the intention is to increase the rate or level of activity. The phrase implies sustaining a current level, not exceeding it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain the pace" functions as a verb phrase. It typically follows a subject and expresses the action of sustaining a particular rate, speed, or level of activity. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maintain the pace" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase that conveys the importance of sustaining a particular rate or level of activity. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. It is most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the 'pace' is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "keep up the momentum" or "sustain progress" can be used to add nuance. Be careful not to use it when you actually mean to increase the pace. Its widespread use across authoritative sources makes it a reliable choice for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustain the rate

Emphasizes the continuation of a specific speed or frequency.

sustain progress

Focuses specifically on ensuring that forward advancement continues.

keep up the momentum

Focuses on sustaining the driving force behind an activity, emphasizing forward movement.

persevere at the same level

Highlights the effort required to continue performing at an existing level.

uphold the standard

Highlights the preservation of a defined level of quality or performance.

preserve the tempo

More applicable in contexts where rhythm or timing is crucial.

continue the rhythm

Similar to 'preserve the tempo', but with a slightly broader application beyond music.

hold the line

Suggests resisting a decline or deviation from a current state.

keep the ball rolling

An idiomatic expression that means to keep an activity or process moving forward.

keep things moving

A more general alternative for maintaining activity or progress.

FAQs

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

You can use "maintain the pace" to describe the act of keeping a consistent rate or level of activity. For instance, "The team worked hard to maintain the pace of development."

What are some alternatives to "maintain the pace"?

Alternatives include "keep up the momentum", "sustain the rate", or "sustain progress", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "maintain a fast pace" or is "maintain the pace" better?

While "maintain a fast pace" is grammatically correct, "maintain the pace" is often used when referring to a specific, previously established rate or level. If the pace is not already defined, "maintain a fast pace" works well.

What's the difference between "maintain the pace" and "increase the pace"?

"Maintain the pace" means to keep the current speed or rate, while "increase the pace" means to accelerate or speed up the activity. They have opposite meanings.