Cool MateMaintain vs We must hold to this course
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Maintain
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
We must hold to this course
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Maintain
| Maintain | We must hold to this course | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //meɪnˈteɪn//🇺🇸 //meɪnˈteɪn// | 🇬🇧 //wi mʌst həʊld tʊ ðɪs kɔːs//🇺🇸 //wi mʌst hoʊld tʊ ðɪs kɔrs// |
| Meaning | To keep something in good condition or continue to have it. | We need to stay on this plan. |
| Example | To maintain a healthy lifestyle, you should exercise regularly. | In challenging times, we must hold to this course. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | maintain order, maintain balance, maintain standards, maintain equipment | hold to a plan, hold to a decision, hold to a strategy |
| 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. | Confuse with 'hold onto' which means to retain something physically., Use 'to' instead of 'onto' in phrases like 'hold to this plan'. |
| 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. | Use when discussing commitments or plans. It fits well in both formal and casual conversations but may sound slightly formal. |
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Frequently asked questions: Maintain vs We must hold to this course
What's the difference between Maintain and We must hold to this course?
Maintain: To keep something in good condition or continue to have it. We must hold to this course: We need to stay on this plan.
Which is more common: Maintain and We must hold to this course?
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. We must hold to this course: In challenging times, we must hold to this course.
Can I use Maintain and We must hold to this course interchangeably?
Not always. Maintain and We must hold to this course 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.