uphold the standard

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "uphold the standard" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to maintaining or supporting a certain level of quality, behavior, or principle. Example: "As a leader, it is my responsibility to uphold the standard of excellence within our organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

An opportunity to influence the course of American letters and uphold the standard of art.

The New York Times - Books

"There's a small group of us trying to uphold the standard," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

It was left to two Americans this season to try to uphold the standard of the avant-garde.

The New York Times - Style

"So I do my best to uphold the standard by not doing things like applying weed killer or insecticides to the lawn.

The New York Times

For any who may have wondered whether future generations could uphold the standard, this magnificent student performance, hailed by Mr. Reich himself, should provide reassurance.

The New York Times - Arts

The court could uphold the standard, or it could require that jurors be asked to convict only if they believe the speaker truly intended to threaten harm.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

The A.C.L.U. is doing more than almost any other organization to uphold the standards of the Constitution and international law.

The New York Times

"The Democratic senators must uphold the standards of civil rights and social justice in their votes," Mr. Jackson said.

The New York Times

But a collection of eight energy, environmental and science advocacy groups implored Pruitt to uphold the standards.

The Washington Post

Of course, a theater critic with an evening to kill is all but obliged to uphold the standards of the trade by indulging in the traditional pastime: drinking.

The New York Times

Officers are expected to uphold the standards of the Met Police and when they fail to do so they will be investigated.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “uphold the standard” in situations where maintaining a specific level or expectation is crucial for success or integrity. This phrase is effective for setting expectations and reinforcing accountability.

Common error

Avoid using "uphold the standard" without specifying what standard is being referred to. Vague usage can lead to confusion and a lack of clear direction. Instead, clarify the specific expectations: 'Uphold the standard of data privacy by adhering to GDPR guidelines.'

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uphold the standard" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where 'uphold' is the verb and 'the standard' is the direct object. It signifies an action taken to maintain or defend a certain established level or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms this is a valid and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "uphold the standard" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that signifies maintaining a particular level of quality, ethics, or performance. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, its frequency is uncommon. It appears predominantly in news and media, academic, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, clarify the specific standard to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "maintain the level" or "preserve the benchmark" can offer slightly different nuances depending on the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain the level

Changes the verb to "maintain" and uses "level" instead of "standard".

preserve the benchmark

Replaces "uphold" with "preserve" and "standard" with "benchmark".

defend the norm

Uses "defend" in place of "uphold" and "norm" instead of "standard".

support the criterion

Changes "uphold" to "support" and "standard" to "criterion".

ensure the quality

Focuses on the aspect of quality by using "ensure" and "quality".

keep up the level

Uses the phrasal verb "keep up" and refers to a "level" of performance.

maintain the required level

Adds "required" to emphasize the necessity of maintaining a certain level.

validate the measure

This changes the focus slightly towards validating or confirming a measure or metric.

promote the accepted level

Focuses on promoting something that has been already accepted.

sustain the quality

Uses a different verb to express the idea of keeping the quality.

FAQs

How can I use "uphold the standard" in a sentence?

You can use "uphold the standard" to emphasize maintaining a specific level of quality, ethics, or performance. For example: "As a professional, it's important to uphold the standard of excellence in your work."

What can I say instead of "uphold the standard"?

You can use alternatives like "maintain the level", "preserve the benchmark", or "defend the norm" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "uphold the standard" or "maintain the standard"?

Both "uphold the standard" and "maintain the standard" are correct, but "uphold" often implies a more active defense of the standard, while "maintain" suggests keeping it at its current level. The choice depends on the intended nuance.

What's the difference between "uphold the standard" and "meet the standard"?

"Uphold the standard" implies actively preserving and defending a pre-existing level of quality or expectation. "Meet the standard", on the other hand, simply means reaching the required level, without necessarily maintaining it over time.