Cool MateMaintain vs We can't hold them
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Maintain
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
We can't hold them
Top 2,000 (common)
| Maintain | We can't hold them | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //meɪnˈteɪn//🇺🇸 //meɪnˈteɪn// | 🇬🇧 //wiː kɑːnt hoʊld ðɛm//🇺🇸 //wi kɑnt hoʊld ðɛm// |
| Meaning | To keep something in good condition or continue to have it. | We cannot keep them in one place. |
| Example | To maintain a healthy lifestyle, you should exercise regularly. | We can't hold them for much longer. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | maintain order, maintain balance, maintain standards, maintain equipment | hold a meeting, hold a position, hold someone back, hold a conversation, hold an event |
| 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. | Confused with 'keep' versus 'hold', Using the wrong tense, like 'held' instead of 'hold', Using a different subject, like 'We can hold him' instead of 'them' |
| 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 commonly in everyday conversations. Consider the context for tense and subject. Avoid using in overly formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Maintain vs We can't hold them
What's the difference between Maintain and We can't hold them?
Maintain: To keep something in good condition or continue to have it. We can't hold them: We cannot keep them in one place.
Can you show an example of each?
Maintain: To maintain a healthy lifestyle, you should exercise regularly. We can't hold them: We can't hold them for much longer.
Can I use Maintain and We can't hold them interchangeably?
Not always. Maintain and We can't hold them 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.