Cool MateMaintain vs That's good keep it up
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Maintain
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
That's good keep it up
InformalTop 3,000 (common)
Most formal: MaintainMost common: Maintain
| Maintain | That's good keep it up | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //meɪnˈteɪn//🇺🇸 //meɪnˈteɪn// | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ɡʊd kiːp ɪt ʌp//🇺🇸 //ðæts ɡʊd kiːp ɪt ʌp// |
| Meaning | To keep something in good condition or continue to have it. | A phrase to encourage someone to continue doing well. |
| Example | To maintain a healthy lifestyle, you should exercise regularly. | Your presentation was excellent! That's good, keep it up! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | maintain order, maintain balance, maintain standards, maintain equipment | keep up the good work, keep it going, keep pushing, keep moving, keep trying |
| Antonyms | neglect, abandon, discontinue | - |
| 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. | Using 'keep it up' alone without context., Confusing with 'good job' which is less specific., Overusing in professional situations. |
| 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. | Used to motivate someone after a positive effort. Typically informal, suitable among friends and peers. Avoid in formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Maintain vs That's good keep it up
What's the difference between Maintain and That's good keep it up?
Maintain: To keep something in good condition or continue to have it. That's good keep it up: A phrase to encourage someone to continue doing well.
Which is more formal: Maintain and That's good keep it up?
Maintain is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Maintain and That's good keep it up?
Maintain is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Maintain: To maintain a healthy lifestyle, you should exercise regularly. That's good keep it up: Your presentation was excellent! That's good, keep it up!
Can I use Maintain and That's good keep it up interchangeably?
Not always. Maintain and That's good keep it up 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.