Cool MateMaintain vs Support
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Maintain
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Support
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Most common: Support
| Maintain | Support | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //meɪnˈteɪn//🇺🇸 //meɪnˈteɪn// | 🇬🇧 /["/səˈpɔːt/","/səˈpɔːts/","/səˈpɔːtɪd/","/səˈpɔːtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səˈpɔːrt/","/səˈpɔːrts/","/səˈpɔːrtɪd/","/səˈpɔːrtɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To keep something in good condition or continue to have it. | To give help or assistance. |
| Example | To maintain a healthy lifestyle, you should exercise regularly. | I want to support my friends in their endeavors. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | maintain order, maintain balance, maintain standards, maintain equipment | overwhelmingly, fervently, fully, agree to, pledge to, promise to, in, be well supported, be widely supported, support and encourage somebody/something, overwhelmingly, fervently, fully, agree to, pledge to, promise to, in, be well supported, be widely supported, support and encourage somebody/something, financially, generously, partially, help (to), through, financially, generously, partially, help (to), through, strongly, weakly, adequately, appear to, seem to, tend to, be supported by data, be supported by evidence, be well supported |
| Antonyms | neglect, abandon, discontinue | oppose, hinder, neglect |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'mainten' which is not a word., Using 'maintain' with uncountable nouns incorrectly., Omitting the object when using it in a sentence. | Confused with 'supplement', which means to add to something., Using 'support' as a noun without clarification (e.g. 'She gave support' is vague)., Mixing up 'support' and 'oppose'. |
| Usage notes | Used in contexts involving care, upkeep, or support. Appropriate in both spoken and written English but varies from technical discussions to daily conversation. | This word can be used in many contexts like emotional support, financial help, or supporting a cause. It's appropriate in both casual and formal contexts. |
Frequently asked questions: Maintain vs Support
What's the difference between Maintain and Support?
Maintain: To keep something in good condition or continue to have it. Support: To give help or assistance.
Which is more common: Maintain and Support?
Support is the most common in everyday English.
Are Maintain and Support the same CEFR level?
Maintain: B2, Support: A2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Maintain and Support interchangeably?
Not always. Maintain and Support are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.