maintained that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintained that" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express that someone has asserted or claimed something, often in a formal or academic context. Example: "The researcher maintained that the results of the study were conclusive and should not be questioned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Throughout, Mr. Hayward maintained that look of amused earnestness.

The New York Times

Many maintained that area was not vulnerable.

Forbes

And we maintained that crowd".

The New York Times

"But he's maintained that aura.

The New York Times - Books

I maintained that "football is so uncivilized".

The New York Times

He has maintained that he was innocent.

The New York Times

Verizon maintained that it had responded appropriately.

The New York Times - Tech

He maintained that Uzbeks still supported him.

The New York Times

They maintained that the process was transparent.

The New York Times

Afterward, Collins maintained that Santana was rusty.

The New York Times - Sports

Duchamp's friends maintained that chess was his only drug.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting someone's statement, use "maintained that" to indicate a consistent and often repeated assertion, particularly when the assertion might be disputed or require defense.

Common error

Avoid using "maintained that" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "said" or "believed" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintained that" functions as a reporting verb phrase, used to convey that someone has consistently asserted a particular viewpoint or position. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in reporting statements and assertions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "maintained that" is a common and grammatically correct reporting verb phrase used to indicate that someone has consistently asserted a specific viewpoint. Ludwig AI identifies its primary function as conveying sustained assertions, often in formal or academic contexts. While alternatives like "asserted that" or "claimed that" exist, "maintained that" uniquely emphasizes the consistency and possible defensiveness of the assertion. It is prevalent in news, encyclopedic, and scientific sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

asserted that

Emphasizes a strong declaration or affirmation of something.

claimed that

Implies stating something as a fact, often without providing proof.

contended that

Suggests arguing or asserting something as a point of view in a debate.

insisted that

Highlights the firmness and persistence in stating a belief.

held that

Indicates a sustained belief or opinion over time.

stated that

A neutral way of saying someone communicated information.

affirmed that

Formally declares something to be true or a fact.

attested that

Provides evidence or proof to support a claim.

professed that

Declares openly, sometimes with the implication of sincerity.

declared that

Announces something formally or officially.

FAQs

How to use "maintained that" in a sentence?

Use "maintained that" to report someone's assertion, especially when they have consistently argued for a particular viewpoint. For example, "The defendant "maintained that" he was innocent."

What can I say instead of "maintained that"?

You can use alternatives like "asserted that", "claimed that", or "insisted that" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "maintained that" or "said that"?

"Maintained that" implies a consistent assertion, often in the face of disagreement, while "said that" is a more neutral way of reporting a statement.

What's the difference between "maintained that" and "held that"?

"Maintained that" suggests actively asserting a belief, while "held that" indicates a long-held belief or opinion.