maintain the tradition

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain the tradition" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when referring to preserving a custom or practice from the past. For example, "The Scottish people are committed to maintaining their traditional customs and values."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Two new films maintain the tradition.

The New Yorker

I wear No. 58 now and I'm trying to maintain the tradition.

The New York Times - Sports

More than 1,250 Canadian and Americans volunteer on Christmas eve to maintain the tradition.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It will be for Trump to decide whether he wants to maintain the tradition.

The Guardian

A few farmers maintain the tradition, and their ducks are sold only in the immediate area.

The New York Times

When Kinsela got too old to run the wrestling classes, Koenig was glad to step in and maintain the tradition.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Kroenke further promised to maintain the traditions of the club and to continue its "self-sustaining business model".

The New York Times - Sports

Guiding me through the different rooms was the manager, Mika Ahonen, who has been doing his bit to maintain the traditions of the public sauna for four years.

The Guardian - Travel

Those who remain maintain the traditions, but increasingly these serve only to mask the growing uncertainty and confusion.There is nothing new in the passing of another haute bourgeoisie.

The Economist

"That [Harvard] will maintain the traditions of academic freedom, of tolerance for heresy, I feel sure".

Wikipedia

You have to maintain the traditions and gastronomic soul of a country, and that means flavors and textures.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about cultural or historical practices, use "maintain the tradition" to emphasize the ongoing effort to preserve these aspects of a community's identity.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain the tradition" when referring to the establishment of a new custom. "Establish a tradition" or "start a tradition" are more appropriate in those cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain the tradition" functions as a verb phrase, where "maintain" is the verb indicating the action of preserving, and "the tradition" is the direct object specifying what is being preserved. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maintain the tradition" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the act of preserving customs, beliefs, or practices. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and applicable in written English. Predominantly found in news, academic, and scientific sources, it carries a neutral to formal tone, suitable for professional and descriptive writing. While alternatives like ""uphold the tradition"" and ""preserve the tradition"" exist, understanding the subtle nuances helps in selecting the most fitting expression. Remember to use "maintain the tradition" when referring to the continuity of established practices, rather than the inception of new ones.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

uphold the tradition

Replaces "maintain" with "uphold", suggesting a more active and assertive effort to preserve the tradition.

preserve the tradition

Focuses on keeping the tradition intact and preventing it from being lost or forgotten.

continue the tradition

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of the tradition, highlighting its uninterrupted continuation.

sustain the tradition

Implies providing support or resources necessary to keep the tradition alive and functioning.

keep the tradition alive

Highlights the effort required to prevent the tradition from fading away or becoming obsolete.

carry on the tradition

Suggests passing the tradition from one generation or group to another.

safeguard the tradition

Emphasizes protecting the tradition from threats or dangers that could lead to its decline.

defend the tradition

Suggests actively resisting challenges or criticisms against the tradition.

honor the tradition

Implies showing respect and reverence for the tradition, ensuring it is valued and appreciated.

observe the tradition

Focuses on adhering to the practices and customs associated with the tradition.

FAQs

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

You can use "maintain the tradition" to describe efforts to preserve customs or practices. For example, "The community strives to "maintain the tradition" of annual festivals".

What can I say instead of "maintain the tradition"?

Alternatives include "uphold the tradition", "preserve the tradition", or "continue the tradition", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "maintain the tradition" or "preserve the tradition"?

Both phrases are correct, but ""maintain the tradition"" suggests an ongoing effort, while ""preserve the tradition"" emphasizes keeping it from being lost.

What's the difference between "maintain the tradition" and "carry on the tradition"?

"Maintain the tradition" implies keeping it alive, while "carry on the tradition" often refers to passing it to future generations.