maintained for a while

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintained for a while" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been kept or continued for a certain period of time, though the exact duration is not specified. Example: "The system was maintained for a while before the upgrade was implemented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

S. J. Perelman once visited the odd household he maintained for a while in Hollywood with Dorothy Parker, "in a fog of crapulous laundry, stale cigarette smoke and dirty dishes, sans furniture or cleanliness; one suspects they wet their beds".

The New York Times - Books

This account was discredited almost immediately but maintained for a while by the heavily controlled Mexican press, and is even now repeated by a few former officials and generals.Eyewitness accounts have, however, told a different story, especially about the Olympic Battalion, a military force created to safeguard the Olympic Games that started eight days later.

The Economist

Dt1 expression in determinate soybean plants rapidly decreases concomitant with floral induction, whereas this expression is maintained for a while after flowering starts in indeterminate accessions [ 33].

BMC Plant Biology

Upon 4-OHT stimulation, ND-HBD* cells displayed an obvious increase of CoroNa Green fluorescence, and the fluorescence maintained for a while and then suddenly dropped when the cell membrane rupture occurred as indicated by PI uptake.

Cell Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Although my father's weight eventually crept back on, he learned some healthy eating habits that he was able to maintain for a while, and for the first time in his life, he was able to shop in a regular department store.

The New York Times

You want to find a position that you can maintain for a while.

Huffington Post

The finding that an ARS in region B supports autonomous replication in S. cerevisiae suggests that the circular form may have been stably maintained for quite a while, resulting in integrations at different locations in the various strains.

Plosone

"RX can maintain for quite a while," says Nancy Hubbell, a spokeswoman for Lexus.

Forbes

"He's maintained it for a while, but it's affecting him more than people realize," Scioscia said of Pujols' injuries.

Los Angeles Times

While the concentration of Na+ maintained high for a while, the fluorescence began to drop at the time point when cell membrane became permeable to PI which indicated cell membrane damage.

Cell Research

Baby boomer renters want a unit maintained for them while they travel: they want their pets watched, they want their plants watered, they want their groceries delivered.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "maintained for a while", ensure that the context clearly indicates what was maintained and for approximately how long. Even if the exact duration is not specified, the reader should have a sense of the timeframe.

Common error

Avoid using "maintained for a while" when a more specific timeframe can be provided. If the object was maintained for "several years", or even "a few months", using a more precise duration enhances clarity and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintained for a while" functions as an adverbial phrase of duration, modifying a verb by indicating how long an action or state continued. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing how long something was kept in a certain condition.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "maintained for a while" is a grammatically correct and neutrally-registered expression used to indicate that something was kept in a particular state for an unspecified but noticeable duration. As Ludwig AI pointed out, the phrase functions as an adverbial phrase of duration and is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. While the phrase is valid, writers should consider whether a more specific timeframe would enhance clarity. Alternatives include "sustained for some time" or "retained temporarily" depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retained for a while

Highlights the act of keeping or holding onto something temporarily. There are no subtle differences, only a word choice.

continued for a period

Focuses on the action of continuing without interruption for a certain duration. The subtle difference with 'maintained' is that it might not imply that you have to preserve/keep something intact.

kept up for a period

Replaces "maintained" with "kept up", focusing on the effort of keeping something in a certain state over time. This focuses on continuous effort rather than just preserving something.

sustained for some time

Uses "sustained" to highlight the support or upholding of something over a period, implying a need for effort to keep it going.

preserved for a duration

Emphasizes the act of preserving something over a specific length of time, shifting the focus from simple continuation to active preservation.

held onto temporarily

Focuses on retaining physical or metaphorical possession for a limited duration. The main difference is that can be used in a more literal way.

remained active for a while

Emphasizes continued operation or function within a specified timeframe, which implies a system or plan.

kept in place temporarily

Emphasizes the act of keeping something secured or positioned for a limited time. The main difference is that is more descriptive.

was upheld for a period

Focuses on the act of upholding or defending something for a limited duration, which implies an active effort to defend something.

was in effect for a time

Highlights the period during which something was operational or valid. The main difference is that refers to actions, plans, laws.

FAQs

How can I use "maintained for a while" in a sentence?

You can use "maintained for a while" to indicate that something was kept in a particular state or condition for a certain period. For example, "The old car was "maintained for a while" before being sold".

What are some alternatives to "maintained for a while"?

Alternatives include "sustained for some time", "continued for a period", or "retained temporarily". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "maintained for a while" or "maintained temporarily"?

"Maintained temporarily" suggests a shorter duration and a clearer expectation of change. "Maintained for a while" implies a less definite timeframe. The choice depends on the intended meaning and the actual duration involved.

What does "maintained for a while" imply about the effort involved?

"Maintained for a while" can imply that some effort was needed to keep something in its state, although the degree of effort is not explicitly stated. A phrase like "actively maintained for a while" would more strongly emphasize the effort involved.