to maintain a record

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to maintain a record" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of keeping or preserving information or documentation for future reference. Example: "It is important for businesses to maintain a record of all transactions for auditing purposes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"There is a popular desire to maintain a record of not behaving like others on the continent in these elections.

The Economist

For instance, one such regulation calls for districts to maintain a record of every contact between a school lawyer and board member.

The New York Times

And the memoir, a kind of meta-diary, is her attempt to interrogate her obsessive drive to maintain a record of her existence.

The New Yorker

Kalou's target at present is to win silverware with Lille to maintain a record of trophies at every club he has represented.

The Guardian - Sport

Nowadays, it is feasible to maintain a record of the historic operation data in the building.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

Channel sensing allows a cognitive user to gather spectrum usage information, and to maintain a record of available channels dynamically.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It is perhaps a tall order to expect Orbitz to maintain a stellar record in its quest to ferret out flight problems before they bring grief to customers.

The New York Times - Travel

Whenever a new batch came in, Clayton Donnelley, a soft-voiced paralegal, scanned and numbered each document to maintain a permanent record.

The New Yorker

FOURTH STRAIGHT LUGE WIN Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt of Germany won their fourth consecutive luge World Cup event to maintain a perfect record this season.

The New York Times - Sports

Philadelphia has played well enough to maintain a 4-3 record without Bynum and the team has a talented enough roster to stay over.500 until he makes his 76ers debut.

The Guardian - Sport

The holders became the first team to maintain a 100% record in the Champions League group stages on two occasions.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to maintain a record" in formal writing, ensure that the type of record (e.g., financial, medical, historical) is clearly specified for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice constructions when "to maintain a record". For example, instead of "A record needs to be maintained", prefer "You need to maintain a record" for a stronger, more direct statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to maintain a record" functions as an infinitive phrase, often acting as a verb complement or expressing purpose. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is used to describe the act of preserving information for future use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

42%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to maintain a record" is a grammatically correct and commonly used infinitive phrase that expresses the act of keeping or preserving information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a versatile phrase applicable in diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific documentation. While alternatives like "to keep a log" or "to preserve documentation" exist, the core meaning remains consistent. When using the phrase, clarity is key, ensuring the type of record is specified. Avoiding passive voice constructions enhances the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to keep a log

Emphasizes the act of regularly noting events or data.

to preserve documentation

Focuses on the act of saving and protecting documents.

to retain information

Highlights the act of holding onto knowledge or data.

to keep track

Focuses on monitoring and following something over time.

to document activity

Emphasizes recording actions or processes.

to compile data

Focuses on gathering and organizing information.

to create a history

Highlights the act of generating a historical account.

to archive information

Emphasizes storing data for future retrieval.

to register details

Focuses on officially recording specific information.

to chronicle events

Highlights the act of recording events in chronological order.

FAQs

What does "to maintain a record" mean?

The phrase "to maintain a record" means to keep, update, and preserve information or data for future reference. This can apply to various types of records, such as financial, medical, or historical data.

What are some alternatives to "to maintain a record"?

You can use alternatives such as "to keep a log", "to preserve documentation", or "to retain information" depending on the specific context.

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

You can use "to maintain a record" in sentences like: "It is important for businesses to maintain a record of all transactions" or "The hospital needs to maintain a record of each patient's medical history".

Is it better to say "to maintain a record" or "to keep a record"?

Both "to maintain a record" and "to keep a record" are acceptable. "To maintain a record" often implies a more systematic and ongoing effort, while "to keep a record" might suggest simply holding onto the information.