maintain the status

USAGE SUMMARY

"maintain the status" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you might use this phrase in a sentence such as "We must maintain the status quo in order to ensure our success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Father Urban was anxious to maintain the status quo.

The New Yorker

Coker and Solich want to maintain the status quo.

The New York Times - Sports

I think they're satisfied to maintain the status quo".

The New Yorker

The West can only hope to maintain the status quo.

The New Yorker

Most social investments are used to maintain the status quo.

Harvard Business Review

To maintain the status quo, they'll do whatever they can".

The New York Times

People say they try to maintain the status quo.

Independent

"We want to maintain the status quo," he said.

The New York Times

They are not incentivized to maintain the status quo.

The New York Times

A single resident's opposition can be enough to maintain the status quo.

The Guardian

You'd think any new manager would need substantial backing to even maintain the status quo".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about organizations that are resistant to innovation, use “maintain the status quo” to show the entrenchment that often occurs.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "maintain the status quo" with phrases like "maintaining the states", which has a completely different meaning related to geopolitical organization. Always ensure the context is clear to avoid misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain the status quo" functions primarily as a verb phrase, describing an action taken to preserve the current state of affairs. Ludwig AI confirms this usage aligns with standard grammar rules, offering numerous examples in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "maintain the status quo" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that conveys the act of preserving the current state of affairs. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across various contexts, predominantly in news and media, formal business settings, and science. While the phrase is quite common, it is essential to avoid confusing it with similar-sounding phrases. Related alternatives include "preserve the current state" and "uphold the existing conditions". Understanding the nuances of its usage ensures effective communication and prevents potential misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preserve the current state

Focuses on preserving the existing situation, rather than specifically maintaining the status quo.

uphold the existing conditions

Implies actively supporting and defending the current situation.

keep things as they are

An informal way of expressing the desire to avoid change.

sustain the present situation

Emphasizes the continuation of the current state over time.

retain the existing order

Focuses on maintaining the current structure or system.

prevent any change

Highlights the action of stopping any modifications or alterations.

avoid altering the situation

Suggests a conscious effort to not make changes to the current circumstances.

ensure no modifications are made

Emphasizes the guarantee that changes will not occur.

hold the line

An idiomatic expression meaning to resist change or maintain a position.

leave everything untouched

Focuses on keeping things in their original condition without intervention.

FAQs

How to use "maintain the status quo" in a sentence?

You can use "maintain the status quo" to describe efforts to preserve current conditions. For example, "The company's decision to not invest in new technology reflects their desire to "maintain the status quo"".

What can I say instead of "maintain the status quo"?

You can use alternatives like "preserve the current state", "uphold the existing conditions", or "keep things as they are" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "maintain the status quo" or "maintain a status quo"?

"Maintain the status quo" is the correct and commonly used phrase. "Status quo" refers to the existing state of affairs, so it's typically used with the definite article "the".

What's the difference between "maintain the status quo" and "improve the status quo"?

"Maintain the status quo" means to keep things as they are, while "improve the status quo" implies making changes to the existing situation to make it better. They represent opposite approaches to the current state of affairs.