maintain the position

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain the position" is both correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a position held by one person, or an idea or opinion shared by someone. For example, "The government needs to maintain its firm position on climate change and take more aggressive action."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What if it intends to maintain the position indefinitely but changes its mind three months later?

Harvard University

He observed that the central policy goal was to maintain the "position of disparity" that separated our enormous wealth from the poverty of others.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I really need to maintain the position of someone who gets the newspaper outside his door, fresh and new," Mr. Okrent said in an interview.

The New York Times

With hands together, they were told to stretch from side to side and maintain the position on either side for up to 60 seconds.

The New York Times - Sports

But we might use his thinking to maintain the position that though our responses to the cases differ, the cases are in some more fundamental sense the same.

Yale University

"We maintain the position of not permitting the oil company to enter," Cesar Nacua Uakui, from a village called Estirón on the Peruvian side, told the meeting.

The Guardian

The proposed kinematic analysis can simulate, without iteration, the locomotion of gecko satisfying the constraint conditions that maintain the position of the contacted feet on the surface.

Journal of Bionic Engineering

In this work a parallel manipulator (Stewart platform) is used to align and maintain the position of the secondary mirror of a radio-telescope.

Neurocomputing

The appropriate design of a mooring system to maintain the position of an offshore structure in deep sea under various environmental loads is important.

International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering

But Netanyahu would have the US throw it away in order to maintain the position that Iranian leaders are Nazis we cannot appease – in other words, a situation in which war is the only answer.

The Guardian - Opinion

A good start is the proven key for such qualification events since once a player achieves a plus three or plus four score he or she can maintain the position by halving with similarly well-placed rivals.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what "position" refers to. Is it a physical location, a viewpoint, a ranking, or something else? Clarity avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain the position" when the specific "position" isn't clear. Instead of vaguely stating "we must maintain the position", specify what position you're talking about, such as "maintain our market-leading position" or "maintain a neutral position on the matter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain the position" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "maintain" acts as a transitive verb requiring a direct object, which in this case is "the position". This phrase is commonly used to describe the act of preserving or upholding a specific status, viewpoint, or location, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

27%

News & Media

45%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "maintain the position" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed verb phrase used to convey the act of preserving a specific state, viewpoint, or status. As shown by Ludwig AI, this phrase can be used in various contexts, from science and news to academia. It's essential to ensure clarity regarding what "position" refers to, avoiding vague statements. While versatile across different registers, it's most prevalent in news and media, and scientific contexts, where clear and accurate descriptions are paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold the ground

Implies defending and keeping control over something against opposition or change.

preserve the status

Focuses on keeping things as they currently are without alteration.

uphold the view

Emphasizes supporting and defending a particular belief or opinion.

sustain the level

Highlights keeping a certain quantity or degree constant.

keep the rank

Specifically refers to maintaining a particular level of seniority or status in a hierarchy.

retain the lead

Focuses on keeping a position of advantage or dominance over others.

stick to the principles

Implies steadfast adherence to a set of core beliefs or values.

stand firm

Emphasizes resisting pressure and maintaining a resolute stance.

keep up the standard

Highlights maintaining a level of quality or performance.

hold the line

Implies resisting encroachment or change in a defensive manner.

FAQs

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

Use "maintain the position" to describe preserving a state, viewpoint, or ranking. For example, "The company aims to maintain its competitive position in the market."

What are some alternatives to "maintain the position"?

You can use alternatives like "hold the ground", "preserve the status", or "uphold the view" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "maintain in position" instead of "maintain the position"?

While "maintain in position" can be grammatically correct in certain contexts (e.g., "the device should be maintained in position"), "maintain the position" is generally used when referring to a strategic or figurative position, such as a viewpoint or a ranking.

What's the difference between "maintain the position" and "stay the position"?

"Maintain the position" implies an active effort to preserve a current state or ranking, whereas "stay the position" suggests remaining in a current state or location without necessarily implying active effort. The first highlights preserving, the latter highlights remaining.