seek to maintain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seek to maintain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an intention or effort to keep something in a certain state or condition. Example: "The organization seeks to maintain a high standard of quality in its products and services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Executioners seek to maintain their detachment, but they often begin to feel empathy or depression.

The New Yorker

They seek to maintain their religious convictions and way of life.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is because we naturally seek to maintain a moral balance between good and bad deeds.

The Guardian

America should seek to maintain military superiority in the Western Pacific.

The Economist

Most such republican states have associations that seek to maintain heraldic standards.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Adaptive biometrics seek to maintain a high level of performance by updating facial models over time using operational data.

Information Fusion

We believe that our process provides lessons for others who seek to maintain complex, concept-oriented controlled terminologies.

Journal of Biomedical Informatics

Unfortunately, though unsurprisingly, an increasing number of producers defend subsidies and seek to maintain or even increase them.

The Guardian

On Tuesday, it appeared that Mr. Forde might still seek to maintain his position in the union.

The New York Times

It is inevitable that we, the beneficiaries of these wise developments, will seek to maintain the advantages we have gained.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a sense this is the least of Bayliss's worries as England seek to maintain their 100% record against Bangladesh.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "seek to maintain", ensure the context clearly defines what is being maintained and why it's important. This adds clarity and strengthens the purpose of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "seek to maintain" excessively in passive constructions. Active voice often makes your writing more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "Efforts are sought to maintain the status quo", write "Stakeholders seek to maintain the status quo."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "seek to maintain" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose or intention. It connects an action (seeking) with the goal of keeping something in a particular state. As shown in the examples provided by Ludwig, it is often used to describe strategic objectives or deliberate efforts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "seek to maintain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey an intention or effort to preserve a specific condition. According to Ludwig AI, its usage spans various contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedic sources, indicating a neutral to formal register. While it's generally acceptable, avoiding overuse in passive constructions can enhance writing clarity. Remember to clearly define what you're maintaining for a stronger, more purposeful statement. The phrase enjoys widespread acceptance and understanding as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strive to preserve

Focuses on the effort to keep something in its original state.

endeavor to uphold

Emphasizes the attempt to maintain a standard or principle.

aim to conserve

Highlights the goal of protecting something from depletion or change.

work to sustain

Focuses on the effort to keep something going or existing.

attempt to retain

Emphasizes trying to keep possession of something.

try to safeguard

Highlights efforts to protect something from harm or damage.

look to continue

Focuses on ensuring something persists or proceeds.

aspire to perpetuate

Emphasizes the ambition to make something last indefinitely.

hope to preserve

Expresses a desire to maintain something in its current state.

plan to conserve

Highlights that there are strategies in place to protect something.

FAQs

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

You can use "seek to maintain" to express an effort or intention to keep something in a particular state or condition. For example, "The company "seeks to maintain" a high level of customer satisfaction."

What are some alternatives to "seek to maintain"?

Alternatives include "strive to preserve", "endeavor to uphold", or "aim to conserve", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "seek to maintain" or "try to maintain"?

"Seek to maintain" sounds more formal and intentional than "try to maintain". Use "seek to maintain" when emphasizing a deliberate effort or strategy, and "try to maintain" when highlighting an attempt, possibly without guaranteed success.

What's the difference between "seek to maintain" and "maintain"?

"Maintain" simply states the act of keeping something in a certain state. "Seek to maintain" implies an active effort or intention to ensure something is kept in that state. The former is a state, the latter is an action.