maintaining to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintaining to" is not correct in standard written English.
It is likely a misuse of "maintaining" and should be replaced with a more appropriate verb or phrase depending on the intended meaning. Example: "He is maintaining his focus on the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Mr. Corzine has given no indication whom he favors, maintaining to the point of disbelief that he is so focused on winning the governor's race that he has not considered who might succeed him.

The New York Times

* Men are brilliant at falling asleep in front of the television and then denying it – "I wasn't asleep!" – and maintaining to this day that they saw The Shawshank Redemption through to the end when "he went to the electric chair".

Independent

For nine days, as European and United Nations officials have called urgently for a cease-fire in Gaza, the Bush administration has squarely blamed the rocket attacks of the Palestinian militant group Hamas for Israel's assault, maintaining to the end its eight-year record of stalwart support for Israel.

The New York Times

"And, in fact, the humor's ongoing now in Houston because here you have Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling maintaining to this day -- after Enron has gone belly up, $70 billion has disappeared overnight, 20,000 people have lost their jobs -- that Enron was a great company.

The New York Times

For the non-faulty section, either 5 h for transferring or 10 h for maintaining to restore the power supply cannot meet the safety standard requirements.

Protection and Control of Modern Power Systems

Designer cellulosomes (also known as chimeras)—unlike native cellulosomes are artificial constructs, composed of chimeric scaffoldin and enzymes with cohesins and dockerins of divergent specificities, thus providing interdomain flexibility in the enzyme complex while maintaining (to some extent) the original wild-type functionality (Fierobe et al. 2002; Stern et al. 2015).

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Radio silence was maintained to avoid detection.

Huffington Post

We will maintain contact to explore options".

BBC

Fish were maintained according to standard protocols.

Plosone

Rest is vital to maintaining persistence.

WikiHow

Hydration is important to maintaining bone health.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "maintaining to" in formal writing. Replace it with a more grammatically correct alternative like "continuing to", "adhering to", or a more specific verb that fits the context.

Common error

A common mistake is using "maintaining to" when the intention is to express continuous action or adherence to a specific point. Ensure you use the correct preposition or verb form. For example, use "maintaining focus on" instead of "maintaining to focus".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintaining to" functions as a verb phrase, but it is grammatically incorrect. It attempts to express the idea of continuing or adhering to something, but the use of "to" in this context is not standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, it should be replaced with a more appropriate verb or phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "maintaining to" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Ludwig AI identifies it as a misuse and suggests alternatives such as "continuing to" or "adhering to", depending on the context. While the phrase appears in various sources, its incorrectness undermines its effectiveness. Pay careful attention to verb usage and choose grammatically sound alternatives to ensure clear and professional communication. While it appears mostly in "News & Media" and "Science", its presence doesn't validate its correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

continuing to

Emphasizes the continuation of an action or state, similar to the intended meaning but grammatically sound.

persisting in

Focuses on the act of stubbornly continuing despite difficulties.

adhering to

Highlights the act of sticking to a particular belief, rule, or plan.

upholding

Implies supporting or defending something, such as a principle or law.

keeping to

Indicates staying within certain boundaries or limitations.

sustaining

Suggests providing support or nourishment to keep something in existence.

preserving

Emphasizes keeping something in its original condition, often against threats.

conserving

Focuses on using resources carefully to avoid waste and ensure availability for the future.

holding to

Highlights maintaining a belief or opinion, often in the face of opposition.

remaining committed to

Focuses on a continued dedication to a cause, person, or belief.

FAQs

What is wrong with the phrase "maintaining to"?

The phrase "maintaining to" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's often a misuse of "maintaining" and should be replaced with a more appropriate verb or phrase, such as "continuing to", "adhering to", or another verb that fits the intended meaning.

What can I say instead of "maintaining to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "persisting in", "upholding", or "keeping to". Choose the phrase that best captures the intended meaning.

Is "maintaining to" ever correct in English?

No, "maintaining to" is not considered correct in standard written English. It's an ungrammatical construction that should be avoided in favor of more appropriate phrasing.

How can I avoid using "maintaining to" in my writing?

To avoid using "maintaining to", focus on the specific action you want to describe and choose a verb that accurately reflects that action. For instance, instead of "maintaining to believe", say "continuing to believe" or "persisting in believing".