maintaining myself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintaining myself" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one is discussing self-care, personal well-being, or self-management. Example: "In order to stay productive, I prioritize maintaining myself through regular exercise and mindfulness practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

'Nowadays I'm maintaining myself for me, not for someone else.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I'm fighting for them," he said, adding, "I am working to maintain myself here and my family there.

The New York Times

There is a reason that I maintain myself as independent and a reason that I always try to take chances.

The New York Times

I limit my children's access to a white-list I drew up and maintain myself, and it costs nowt.

The Guardian - Opinion

I hope I can maintain myself – that I wouldn't become pathetic and needy, and the worst part of myself come out in adversity.

The Guardian - Film

So they found an acting school for me, which they paid for, $10,000 for two years, and I was getting $90 a month, which was enough for me to maintain myself.

The Guardian - Film

His growing success as an illustrator brought Hogarth little satisfaction, for it entailed unwelcome dependence on the booksellers who had exploited his father; he later insisted that engraving "did little more than maintain myself in the usual gaities of life but (was) in all a punctual paymaster".

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I believe it", he says, "I decide to believe in it and maintain myself in this decision…" (Sartre 1992a [1992a: 1992a

SEP

However, if I simply maintain myself in hope, no specific event (or absence of event) need shake me from this hope.

SEP

Take me: I look well because I maintain myself.

Vice

I would do just about anything to maintain myself".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "maintaining myself" to convey a sense of ongoing effort in preserving your well-being, independence, or financial stability.

Common error

Avoid using "maintaining myself" solely in contexts of physical health; it can also apply to mental, emotional, or financial well-being. Consider if "taking care of myself" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintaining myself" functions as a gerund phrase, where "maintaining" is a gerund (a verb form acting as a noun) and "myself" is the object. It typically serves as a noun in a sentence, often describing an action or state of being. As Ludwig AI explains, it's correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "maintaining myself" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that emphasizes ongoing effort in self-care, financial independence, or preserving a certain state, as noted by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific sources, its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts. While alternatives like "taking care of myself" or "supporting myself" exist, "maintaining myself" specifically highlights the continuous nature of the effort involved in looking after one's well-being.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustaining myself

Focuses on providing for one's basic needs or livelihood.

supporting myself

Emphasizes the financial aspect of providing for oneself.

taking care of myself

Highlights the aspect of self-care and well-being.

looking after myself

Similar to "taking care of myself" but can also imply protecting oneself.

managing myself

Focuses on self-management and organizational aspects.

defending myself

Implies protecting oneself from harm or criticism.

preserving myself

Highlights efforts to maintain one's current state or condition.

asserting myself

Focuses on expressing one's opinions or needs confidently.

establishing myself

Emphasizes building a stable foundation for one's life or career.

handling myself

Refers to one's ability to manage situations or behave appropriately.

FAQs

What does "maintaining myself" mean?

The phrase "maintaining myself" refers to the act of taking care of one's own needs, whether they are physical, emotional, financial, or otherwise. It implies an ongoing effort to preserve one's well-being and independence.

How can I use "maintaining myself" in a sentence?

You can use "maintaining myself" in a sentence to describe your efforts to stay healthy, financially stable, or emotionally balanced. For example, "Nowadays I'm maintaining myself for me, not for someone else."

What are some alternatives to "maintaining myself"?

Some alternatives to "maintaining myself" include "taking care of myself", "supporting myself", or "sustaining myself", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "maintaining myself" or "taking care of myself"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "maintaining myself" emphasizes the continuous effort involved, while "taking care of myself" is a more general term for self-care.