Maintain vs You can still keep your promise

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Maintain

Top 2,000 (common)B2verb

You can still keep your promise

Top 2,000 (common)
 MaintainYou can still keep your promise
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //meɪnˈteɪn//🇺🇸 //meɪnˈteɪn//🇬🇧 //juː kæn stɪl kiːp jɔːr ˈprɒmɪs//🇺🇸 //ju kæn stɪl kip jɔr ˈprɑmɪs//
MeaningTo keep something in good condition or continue to have it.You can continue to do what you said you would.
ExampleTo maintain a healthy lifestyle, you should exercise regularly.You can still keep your promise to help her.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelB2-
Part of speechverb
Collocationsmaintain order, maintain balance, maintain standards, maintain equipmentkeep a promise, make a promise, break a promise, keep your word, keep commitments
Antonymsneglect, abandon, discontinue-
Common mistakesConfused with 'mainten' which is not a word., Using 'maintain' with uncountable nouns incorrectly., Omitting the object when using it in a sentence.Confusing 'keep' with 'make'; 'make a promise' is different from 'keep your promise'., Using 'kept' instead of 'keep' in present scenarios., Saying 'keep a promise' incorrectly as 'stay a promise'.
Usage notesUsed in contexts involving care, upkeep, or support. Appropriate in both spoken and written English but varies from technical discussions to daily conversation.Use 'keep your promise' when discussing fulfilling commitments. It's Neutral and suitable in both formal and informal contexts.

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Maintain
You can still keep your promise

Frequently asked questions: Maintain vs You can still keep your promise

What's the difference between Maintain and You can still keep your promise?

Maintain: To keep something in good condition or continue to have it. You can still keep your promise: You can continue to do what you said you would.

Can you show an example of each?

Maintain: To maintain a healthy lifestyle, you should exercise regularly. You can still keep your promise: You can still keep your promise to help her.

Can I use Maintain and You can still keep your promise interchangeably?

Not always. Maintain and You can still keep your promise 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.

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