we may maintain

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we may maintain" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a possibility or a suggestion regarding the continuation or preservation of a certain idea or condition. Example: "In light of the recent findings, we may maintain that our initial hypothesis still holds true."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Privacy accords us the ability to control who knows what about us and who has access to us, and thereby allows us to vary our behavior with different people so that we may maintain and control our various social relationships, many of which will not be intimate.

SEP

We may maintain our faith-based vision and mission statements, but the actual work we do is largely shaped by the yardsticks of log-frames, planning, monitoring and evaluation schemes, and results-based management techniques established by this hierarchy.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Might not such talk also serve as a critique of the extent to which we, as adults, may maintain children in an artificial condition of dependence and vulnerability, denying them the opportunity to make their own choices?

SEP

We propose that Msi1 may maintain a pool of cancer cells with deregulated proliferative capabilities which may possibly serve as a source for future tumorigenic events.

BMC Cancer

With this limited carbon pool, we suggest that plants may maintain concentrations of mobile sugars in the rhizome and roots to re-establish a functional RFS hyphal network that is repeatedly destroyed by our application of fresh Alliaria tissue.

AoB PLANTS

We argue that people which may maintain the tool will be more familiarized with SQL queries than OCL.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Given this hypothesis, we predict that some taxa may maintain introns at both the ancestral and novel sites.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

We discuss the processes that may maintain additive and non-additive genetic variance for fitness and how these relate to indirect selection for female choice.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

We conclude that DPSCs and PDLSCs may maintain their MSC characteristics after in vivo implantation and, compared to PDLSCs, DPSCs appear much more stable under in vivo conditions.

Biomaterials

We found no fragmentation effects on species richness, demonstrating that fragments may maintain local species richness comparable to continuous forest.

Biological Conservation

We suggest that the amelioration of striatal pathology by PDE10A inhibition may maintain corticostriatal synaptic interconnectivity, with the secondary effect of maintaining retrograde transport of BDNF to cortex.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we may maintain", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being maintained and why its continuation is being considered as a possibility or suggestion.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "we may maintain" in formal documents, as it can sometimes sound tentative. Stronger verbs like "establish", "support", or "ensure" might provide more impactful alternatives depending on the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we may maintain" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing possibility or a conditional action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a potential course of action or a state that could continue. For instance, "we may maintain our faith-based vision" suggests a possible continuation of that vision.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we may maintain" is a grammatically correct modal verb phrase used to express a possibility or suggestion of continuing or preserving something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for a range of contexts, from scientific and academic writing to news media and formal communications. While the phrase is relatively rare, it conveys a conditional intent to uphold or sustain a particular state or action. Alternative phrases, such as "we might preserve" or "we could sustain", can offer nuanced variations in meaning, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we might preserve

Replaces "maintain" with "preserve", suggesting a focus on keeping something intact.

we could sustain

Uses "sustain" instead of "maintain", implying the ability to keep something going over time.

we can uphold

Substitutes "maintain" with "uphold", emphasizing the act of supporting or defending something.

we may continue to support

Replaces "maintain" with "continue to support", adding emphasis on the ongoing nature of the action and explicit endorsement.

we might retain

Uses "retain" instead of "maintain", focusing on keeping possession of something.

we may keep up

Replaces "maintain" with the phrasal verb "keep up", suggesting effort in maintaining something.

it is possible for us to maintain

Adds an introductory clause to explicitly express the possibility of maintaining something.

we can preserve the status quo

Specifically suggests maintaining the current state of affairs.

we have the option to maintain

Emphasizes the choice or option to maintain something.

we are able to sustain

Indicates a capability or capacity to sustain something.

FAQs

How can I use "we may maintain" in a sentence?

"We may maintain" is used to express a possibility or suggestion of continuing or preserving something. For example, "Based on the current data, "we may maintain" our existing strategy".

What are some alternatives to "we may maintain"?

Alternatives include "we might preserve", "we could sustain", or "we can uphold", depending on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is "we may maintain" formal or informal?

"We may maintain" is generally suitable for formal and semi-formal contexts. It's appropriate for academic writing, business communications, and news reporting. More informal settings might benefit from simpler phrasing.

What does "we may maintain" imply about certainty?

The phrase "we may maintain" suggests a degree of uncertainty or tentativeness. It indicates a possibility, rather than a definite decision or action. If certainty is required, stronger verbs should be used instead of "may".