maintained a degree

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintained a degree" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the preservation or continuation of a certain level of something, such as control, quality, or status. Example: "Despite the challenges, she maintained a degree of optimism throughout the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

He had maintained a degree of independence until a few days ago.

The Guardian - Film

Until now, Mr. Montesinos has maintained a degree of control over the process, deciding whom he sees and what tantalizing tidbits he releases.

The New York Times

Yet they have benefited from the regime's secularist doctrine, which has maintained a degree of religious freedom unique in the region.

The Economist

The problem is, what I always liked about Kate was how she maintained a degree of aloofness no matter what attempts were made to air her very stylish laundry in public.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In a biographical essay, written at the time of his Nobel win, Nash described sanity as a form of conformity, and one about which he maintained a degree of ambivalence.

The Guardian

Sir Norman had suffered a series of strokes over the past six months, but the 95-year-old had apparently maintained a degree of independence until just a few days ago when his health went into rapid decline.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

MAINTAIN SOME INDEPENDENCE Pooling resources is important, but so is maintaining a degree of financial independence.

The New York Times

While science maintains a degree of control over scientific evidence, uncertainty is anyone's game.

The Guardian

Yet SC Strategy appears to maintain a degree of clout in Whitehall.

The Guardian

That structure, analysts say, should prove a great incentive for Gucci executives eager to maintain a degree of independence.

The New York Times

Dr. Braun himself concedes that he maintains a degree of skepticism about certain aspects of classical analysis.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "maintained a degree" in your writing, ensure that the noun following "degree" clearly specifies what is being preserved or kept at a certain level. This adds clarity and precision to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "maintained a degree" in contexts where a complete or absolute preservation is implied. The phrase suggests a partial or limited continuation, not a total one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintained a degree" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the act of preserving something at a certain level or extent. As seen in Ludwig, the structure often appears with a noun specifying what is being maintained, such as "independence" or "control".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "maintained a degree" is a grammatically correct and versatile expression used to indicate the preservation of something at a certain level or extent. As confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a verb phrase, often followed by a noun specifying what is being maintained. Its register is generally neutral to formal, making it suitable for diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedic writing. To enhance clarity, ensure that the noun following "degree" clearly specifies what is being preserved. While the phrase is deemed correct by Ludwig AI, it's important to use it when a partial, not complete, continuation is implied, this avoids misinterpretations. Alternatives include "preserved a level" and "retained a measure", offering slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preserved a level

Focuses on preservation rather than active maintenance; implies less effort to keep something at a certain point.

retained a measure

Emphasizes keeping a quantity or amount, differing slightly from maintaining a standard or quality.

upheld a standard

Highlights the act of defending or supporting a particular level of quality or performance.

sustained a level

Implies keeping something going over time, with less emphasis on the specific amount or degree.

conserved a portion

Stresses careful preservation of a specific part or amount, often with a sense of scarcity.

kept up a certain level

This alternative is more informal than the original phrase.

held onto some semblance

Emphasizes retaining a superficial or minimal amount, especially in challenging circumstances.

ensured some presence

Focuses on guaranteeing a minimum level of existence or visibility, rather than maintaining a consistent standard.

guarded a quota

This alternative focuses on ensuring a specific numeric quantity.

preserved some stability

Indicates protecting something from decline or disruption.

FAQs

How can I use "maintained a degree" in a sentence?

Use "maintained a degree" to describe the act of keeping something at a particular level or extent. For instance, "The company "maintained a degree" of profitability despite the economic downturn".

What are some alternatives to "maintained a degree"?

You can use alternatives like "preserved a level", "retained a measure", or "sustained a level" depending on the specific context. Each alternative slightly changes the nuance of the sentence.

Is it better to say "maintained a degree of independence" or "maintained complete independence"?

"Maintained a degree of independence" implies partial or limited autonomy. "Maintained complete independence" suggests full autonomy. The better choice depends on the accuracy you want to convey.

What's the difference between "maintained a degree of" and "achieved a degree of"?

"Maintained a degree of" implies preserving something that already existed, while "achieved a degree of" suggests attaining something new. For example, you maintain a degree of control, but achieve a degree of success.