maintained an interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintained an interest" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's ongoing curiosity or engagement in a particular subject or activity over time. Example: "Despite the changes in the industry, she has maintained an interest in environmental sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

All along Mr. Fyodorov maintained an interest in public service, sometimes with flamboyant gestures.

The New York Times

Mr. Stock maintained an interest in photography until the end of his life.

The New York Times - Arts

He maintained an interest in politics and still referred to himself as a Liberal peer.

Independent

2) Since you broke the pi world record in 2006 have you maintained an interest in pi?

The Guardian

When the Bagger, who has a bit of Oscar fatigue, asked how he maintained an interest, he said it was simple.

The New York Times

The Yankees have maintained an interest in Kelvim Escobar, who is now starting for Toronto, as well as Cincinnati's Scott Sullivan and Gabe White and Pittsburgh's Scott Sauerbeck.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

You could go around and every different angle should maintain an interest".

The New York Times - Arts

The film-maker maintains an interest in Hollywood history and is planning to direct a film about Frank Sinatra.

The Guardian - Film

The world mourned with us and maintains an interest in the collective health of our extended university community".

The New York Times

The Rugby Football League was vague and evasive yesterday when asked whether he could maintain an interest in Harlequins even if he took over at Wigan.

The Guardian - Sport

But Cablevision maintains an interest in the magazine's Web site, and other members of the group say he may come in later.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "maintained an interest" when you want to emphasize the continuation of interest over a period of time, particularly after a change or event that might have caused it to diminish.

Common error

Avoid using "maintained an interest" when simply stating someone's general interest. Instead, use it when highlighting the effort to keep the interest alive through changing circumstances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintained an interest" functions as a verb phrase indicating the continuation of a pre-existing interest. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It emphasizes the ongoing nature of someone's curiosity or engagement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

20%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Science & Research

6%

The New Yorker - Arts

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maintained an interest" is a versatile phrase used to express sustained engagement or curiosity over time. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. The phrase functions effectively across various contexts, particularly in news, wiki and science domains. Related phrases such as "retained an interest" or "kept up an interest" can be used as alternatives depending on the desired emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects a continued interest, especially in situations where that interest could have waned or been disrupted.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retained an interest

Emphasizes the act of keeping or holding onto an existing interest.

kept up an interest

Highlights the effort involved in continuing to pursue an interest.

sustained an interest

Implies a continuous and prolonged engagement with the subject.

preserved an interest

Suggests protecting or guarding an interest from fading away.

continued to be interested

A more straightforward way of expressing ongoing interest.

remained interested

Focuses on the state of being interested without interruption.

nurtured an interest

Implies actively fostering and developing an interest.

cultivated an interest

Suggests carefully developing and refining an interest over time.

followed an interest

Highlights the active pursuit of something interesting.

had a continuing interest

Emphasizes the presence of an interest that persists over time.

FAQs

What does "maintained an interest" mean?

The phrase "maintained an interest" means to continue to be interested in something over a period of time, often implying that some effort was required to keep that interest alive.

What can I say instead of "maintained an interest"?

You can use alternatives like "retained an interest", "kept up an interest", or "sustained an interest" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How is "maintained an interest" different from "developed an interest"?

"Maintained an interest" implies an existing interest that was continued, whereas "developed an interest" suggests a new interest that was formed. One is about sustaining, the other about initiating.

Is it always necessary to specify what someone "maintained an interest" in?

While not always grammatically required, it's generally better to specify what someone "maintained an interest" in for clarity and context. Otherwise, the phrase can sound incomplete or vague.