maintain their positions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain their positions" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where individuals or groups are expected to keep their roles, stances, or locations, often in a professional or organizational setting. Example: "During the meeting, it was crucial for all team members to maintain their positions to ensure a smooth workflow."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Under the proposal, current food workers will be given a chance to maintain their positions.

The New York Times

He said his players needed to maintain their positions and trust in the game plan.

The New York Times - Sports

But I understand why many people fail to maintain their positions here for more than ten days.

The New Yorker

As a result, the professor added, circus performers are highly regarded in North Korea, and performers train very hard to maintain their positions.

The New York Times - Arts

Stocks were also pressured by margin calls, with some traders giving up on losing positions and others selling stocks to raise cash to maintain their positions.

The New York Times

When the lead trio of Vettel, Webber and Button pitted for the second time they were able to maintain their positions.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Party leaders use the Honours List to maintain their position.

Independent

The current leaders may well prefer to maintain their position, power and control.

The New York Times

Others had to be winched down from helicopters hovering over ravine that struggled to maintain their position in the wind.

The Guardian

Kidderminster won the Blue Square Bet Premier match 2-1 to maintain their position on top of the table.

The Guardian - Sport

When the head is oscillated, the eyes maintain their position in space but move in relation to the head.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "maintain their positions", ensure the context clearly indicates what type of position is being maintained, such as a job, rank, or strategic location. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain their positions" when simpler verbs like "stay" or "remain" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain their positions" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the act of preserving or continuing in a specific role, rank, or location. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "maintain their positions" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of preserving a current state or role. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability across various contexts. It's most frequently encountered in news and media, followed by scientific and encyclopedic writing. While a common phrase, it's advisable to use it judiciously, ensuring that the context warrants its level of formality and avoiding redundancy. Alternatives such as "preserve their standing" or "retain their status" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. Being mindful of these factors will contribute to more effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retain their status

Emphasizes keeping a particular level or recognition.

preserve their rank

Focuses on preserving social or professional grade.

preserve their standing

Focuses on preserving social or professional rank.

uphold their roles

Highlights the active continuation of responsibilities.

defend their places

Suggests an active defense against losing current locations.

secure their footholds

Implies consolidating an initial, possibly precarious, advantage.

keep their posts

Directly indicates retaining an official assignment.

hold onto their jobs

Specifically refers to maintaining employment.

sustain their influence

Focuses on continuing to exert power or authority.

protect their interests

Highlights safeguarding advantageous conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "maintain their positions" in a sentence?

You can use "maintain their positions" to describe efforts to keep a current rank, job, or location. For example: "The company restructured, but all managers were able to "maintain their positions"."

What are some alternatives to "maintain their positions"?

Alternatives include "preserve their standing", "retain their status", or "uphold their roles". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "maintained their position" instead of "maintain their positions"?

Yes, "maintained their position" is grammatically correct, but it implies something that happened in the past. "Maintain their positions" suggests a continuing effort or a general capability to keep those positions.

What's the difference between "maintain their positions" and "defend their places"?

"Maintain their positions" suggests a general keeping or holding onto a situation, while "defend their places" implies an active effort to guard against threats or challenges.