struggle to maintain

USAGE SUMMARY

"struggle to maintain" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to face challenges or difficulties in keeping something in its desired or current state. This phrase is often used in discussions about maintaining relationships, standards, or resources. Example: "The newlyweds are struggling to maintain their long-distance relationship due to their busy work schedules." In this sentence, "struggling to maintain" suggests that the couple is finding it difficult to keep their relationship strong and intact because of their work commitments.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Hapless politicians struggle to maintain a united front.

The Economist

Most struggle to maintain a connection between your ears.

The Guardian - Tech

You need to struggle to maintain your status.

The Guardian

In contrast, Inverness and Ross County overachieved and will struggle to maintain those levels.

Independent

This emerging human rights coalition inspires the continuing struggle to maintain our open and democratic society.

The New York Times

The grown-ups work as butchers or mohels and struggle to maintain their ancient traditions.

The New York Times - Books

Archives failing to do this will struggle to maintain an accessible record of government.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Not only that, you don't have to struggle to maintain some elite status with diminishing benefits.

The New York Times

Then there is the struggle to maintain a stable market share.

The Economist

It is emotionally grueling work in which both struggle to maintain their humanity.

The New York Times

The latest front in the struggle to maintain voting rights is Pennsylvania.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "struggle to maintain", be specific about what is being maintained and the nature of the struggle. For example, instead of saying "They struggle to maintain", specify "They struggle to maintain their market share in the face of increasing competition."

Common error

Avoid using "struggle to maintain" without providing context. Saying "The company is struggling to maintain" leaves the reader wondering what the company is struggling to maintain. Always clarify the object of the struggle for better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "struggle to maintain" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating an ongoing effort or difficulty in preserving or upholding something. It typically connects a subject with the action of attempting to keep something in a specific state. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is commonly used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

22%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "struggle to maintain" is a very common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the difficulty in preserving a condition, relationship, or standard. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in various contexts. It is frequently found in news, science, and wiki sources, indicating its versatility across different registers. When using the phrase, ensure specificity about what is being maintained to avoid overgeneralization. Alternatives include "find it hard to sustain" and "have difficulty preserving", offering nuanced ways to express similar challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

find it hard to sustain

Focuses on the difficulty in continuing or prolonging something, similar to maintaining.

have difficulty preserving

Highlights the challenge in keeping something in its original condition.

face challenges upholding

Emphasizes the obstacles encountered in defending or supporting something.

contend with conserving

Suggests a continuous effort to protect and keep something from depletion or harm.

grapple with retaining

Implies a close and difficult fight to keep something.

labor to safeguard

Highlights the effort and hard work involved in protecting something.

endeavor to conserve

Stresses a serious attempt to avoid wasteful use of something.

strain to preserve

Emphasizes the stress and effort involved in maintaining something in its original state.

wrestle with sustaining

Implies a hard and prolonged struggle to keep something going.

encounter obstacles in preserving

Specifically points out the presence of impediments while trying to maintain something.

FAQs

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

You can use "struggle to maintain" to describe difficulties in preserving a condition, relationship, or standard. For instance, "The museum is struggling to maintain its funding due to budget cuts."

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

Alternatives include "find it hard to sustain", "have difficulty preserving", or "face challenges upholding", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "struggle to maintain" or "struggle maintaining"?

"Struggle to maintain" is generally preferred because it clearly expresses the purpose or intention of maintaining something. "Struggle maintaining" is grammatically less standard.

What's the difference between "struggle to maintain" and "strive to maintain"?

"Struggle to maintain" implies difficulty and potential failure in keeping something at a certain level, whereas "strive to maintain" suggests a determined effort and active pursuit of keeping something at a certain level. The first highlights difficulty, the second highlights effort.