more to maintain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more to maintain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the additional effort or resources required to keep something functioning or in good condition. Example: "This new system has more to maintain than the previous one, which could lead to increased costs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

If families are borrowing more to maintain living standards, they are also working longer.

The Guardian - Business

Like congestion charging, road pricing and carbon offsetting, is it just making people pay more to maintain their existing lifestyles?

The Guardian

"We, as a collection authority, pay more to maintain the quality of the recyclables," says councillor Alan Laing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Something that moves costs much more to maintain than something that doesn't, said Iris Weinshall, the transportation commissioner.

The New York Times

This contract is disastrous for trees because, like big old buildings, big old trees cost more to maintain.

The Guardian - Opinion

Why pay $25 million to buy, and more to maintain, a summer getaway when you can rent and run?

The New York Times

For these Christians, it seemed absurd that a country that spawned the missionary work which resulted in their conversion was not doing more to maintain its Christian heritage.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it costs at least $1.25 million to build a graveyard, and more to maintain it in perpetuity, money the city does not have.

The New York Times

And some have said it is time to stop expanding the park system and to start spending more to maintain existing parks, where repairs costing billions are needed.

The New York Times - Travel

The completed station will cost an estimated $60 billion and tens of billions of dollars more to maintain over a 10- to 15-year life.

The New York Times

H.M.O.'s must do more to maintain health rather than simply cure disease ("A Big Maintenance Problem at the H.M.O," March 14).

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing options, use "more to maintain" to directly highlight which choice demands greater ongoing effort or expenditure. For example, "While the initial cost is lower, this older model has "more to maintain" than the newer one."

Common error

Avoid focusing solely on initial expenses and consider the long-term implications. Saying "This option is cheaper" is incomplete without acknowledging if it also means "more to maintain".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more to maintain" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used as a comparative descriptor. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across different contexts, highlighting situations where something demands a greater level of upkeep, resources, or effort compared to something else.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more to maintain" is a versatile and frequently used expression that signifies a greater need for upkeep, resources, or effort. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. It's commonly found in news articles and business contexts, often used to compare the maintenance demands of different options. When writing, be mindful of both initial costs and long-term maintenance implications, using "more to maintain" to effectively highlight potential future obligations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greater maintenance requirements

Focuses on the requirements aspect, highlighting the need for more maintenance.

increased upkeep obligations

Emphasizes the duties and responsibilities involved in maintaining something.

higher maintenance burden

Highlights the cost or difficulty associated with maintenance.

additional maintenance demands

Stresses the demands placed on resources or personnel for maintenance.

more extensive servicing needs

Focuses specifically on the servicing aspect of maintenance.

greater care is needed

Implies a need for increased attention and diligence in maintenance.

extra effort for upkeep

Highlights the additional exertion required for maintenance.

heightened maintenance costs

Specifically addresses the financial aspect of increased maintenance.

greater resources for preservation

Emphasizes the allocation of resources to ensure long-term maintenance and preservation.

increased attention to preservation

Focuses specifically on the need for more focus in maintaining something's condition.

FAQs

How can I use "more to maintain" in a sentence?

You can use "more to maintain" to indicate that something requires additional resources or effort for upkeep, such as "The older equipment has "more to maintain" than the newer models".

What are some alternatives to saying "more to maintain"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "greater maintenance requirements", "increased upkeep obligations", or "higher maintenance burden".

Is it better to say "more to maintain" or "more maintenance is needed"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "more to maintain" is often used when comparing two options, while "more maintenance is needed" is a general statement about a single item. For example: "This car has "more to maintain" than my old one" vs "This car needs more maintenance".

What's the difference between "more to maintain" and "harder to maintain"?

"More to maintain" implies a greater quantity of resources or effort, while "harder to maintain" suggests increased difficulty or complexity in the maintenance process.