maintains

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "maintains" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a verb that means to keep something in an orderly or satisfactory condition or to keep something at a particular level. For example, "The company maintains a high standard of quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The latest version of Prevent maintains the overwhelming focus on Muslims.

The Guardian

El Hatillo is becoming engulfed by Caracas but maintains its 16th-century charm.

The Guardian - Travel

In Glass Wings (Bloodaxe), Fleur Adcock is as clear-eyed as always in a collection that ranges widely over lost worlds, family histories and memories of childhood, but always maintains the art of seemingly artless observation.

The Guardian - Books

Heritage maintains that with a little sense and reading "the visual clues", we can tell who can be approached or who needs a word.

The Guardian - Opinion

American Beauty also maintains the astringency of satire.

The Guardian

It also quoted US researchers who suggested that many of the more than 800,000 Rwandans who died in the 1994 genocide may have been ethnic Hutus, and not ethnic Tutsis as the government maintains.

The Guardian

In response to the decision, Bamber said: "I am the only person in the UK who was [retrospectively] given a life tariff on a majority verdict that maintains innocence.

The Guardian

According to Robert Koester, CEO of dbS Productions, a search and rescue training company that maintains a database of 50,000 incidents, Base jumpers don't take up many resources.

The Guardian - Sport

Romney maintains his status as the favorite for the Republican nomination, but potential trouble lurks down the road.

The Guardian - Opinion

But May claims the last word: "The MSC gives incentives and maintains pressure to improve conditions; we're not about certifying perfection".

The Guardian

In LRA's case, its main support came from the Sudanese government in Khartoum and many suspect it still maintains the patronage of Omar el-Bashir, the country's president, himself indicted for war crimes by the ICC.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "maintains", ensure the subject performing the action is clearly defined. This clarifies who or what is preserving or upholding something.

Common error

Avoid using "maintains" with plural subjects. Remember that "maintains" is the third-person singular form, so use "maintain" for plural subjects.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "maintains" is as a transitive verb. It indicates that the subject is actively keeping something in a certain state or condition. Ludwig's examples confirm this, showing its use in contexts of preserving standards or asserting claims.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Sport

10%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

5%

Lifestyle

4%

Opinion

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "maintains" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of keeping something in good condition or asserting a claim. Ludwig AI confirms that its grammatical status is correct. Appearing most frequently in news and media, its register is considered neutral, making it suitable for various contexts. Alternative phrases like "keeps up" or "preserves" can be used to add nuance. Remember to use the correct subject-verb agreement and ensure clarity in your writing when using "maintains".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keeps up

Emphasizes continuous effort to stay at a certain level or standard.

preserves

Focuses on protecting something from decay or harm, ensuring its longevity.

upholds

Highlights the act of supporting or defending a principle or law.

sustains

Implies providing support or nourishment to keep something going.

asserts

Emphasizes a confident and forceful declaration of a statement or belief.

retains

Focuses on keeping possession of something.

conserves

Highlights careful management to prevent waste or loss.

continues to have

Describes an ongoing state of possession or existence.

keeps in good condition

Focuses on actively working to retain proper form.

holds

Implies that something is kept in a certain state.

FAQs

How is "maintains" used in a sentence?

"Maintains" is a verb used to describe the act of keeping something in good condition or asserting something. For example: "The company "maintains" a high standard of quality".

What can I say instead of "maintains"?

You can use alternatives like "keeps up", "preserves", or "upholds" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "maintains" and "claims"?

"Maintains" suggests an ongoing state or action of upkeep, while "claims" implies an assertion or declaration that may or may not be true. They are very different and should not be interchanged.

Is it correct to use "maintains" when referring to a past action?

No, to refer to a past action you should use "maintained". The verb "maintains" is the third person singular present tense.