What is maintain? Pronunciation and usage in English

maintain means . Learn how to pronounce and use maintain through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of maintain

maintainverb

/meɪnˈteɪn//mənˈteɪn/
Definition & pronunciation of maintain

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "maintain." It's a tricky one for many English learners! Here's a breakdown with audio examples (you can click the links to hear it):

1. The Basic Sound:

  • "main": This part sounds like "mine" – rhymes with "fine" or "sign." It's pronounced /meɪn/.
  • "tain": This part is the trickiest. It sounds like "tin" (as in a can) followed by an "ay" sound. It’s pronounced /teɪn/.

2. Putting it Together:

The whole word is pronounced as /meɪn teɪn/.

Here’s a breakdown of the sounds:

  • "meɪ": The ‘a’ is a broad, long ‘a’ sound like in ‘say’. It’s a diphthong (two vowel sounds blending together).
  • "n": A standard ‘n’ sound.
  • "teɪ": The ‘a’ is the same long ‘a’ sound.
  • "n": Another ‘n’ sound.

Tips for Pronunciation:

  • Emphasis: The stress is on the first syllable ("main").
  • Linking: The 'n' sound at the end of "main" links smoothly into the 'n' sound at the end of "tain."
  • Practice: Say it slowly at first, then gradually speed up. Repeat after an audio example.

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation again?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "maintain"?

Usage and examples with the word maintain in English

Let's break down how to use the word "maintain" in English. It's a versatile word with multiple meanings, so it's important to understand the context. Here's a breakdown of its common uses, with examples:

1. To Keep Something in Good Condition (Most Common)

  • Meaning: To keep something in its current state, preventing it from deteriorating or becoming worse. This often applies to physical objects, but can also be used for relationships or systems.
  • Examples:
    • "You need to maintain your car regularly to keep it running smoothly." (Meaning: to keep it in good working order)
    • "She maintains her garden beautifully all year round." (Meaning: keeps it looking nice)
    • "It’s important to maintain a healthy lifestyle.” (Meaning: to keep it healthy and strong)
    • “The building needs to be maintained; the roof is leaking.” (Meaning: needs repairs to keep it intact)

2. To Continue to Do Something

  • Meaning: To keep doing something consistently.
  • Examples:
    • "He maintained his position as CEO for over twenty years." (Meaning: continued to hold the position)
    • "Despite the challenges, she maintained her optimism." (Meaning: continued to have a positive attitude)
    • “The company maintained a strong presence in the market.” (Meaning: continued to have a significant presence)

3. To Hold a Belief or Opinion Firmly

  • Meaning: To stick to a particular belief or opinion.
  • Examples:
    • "He maintained that he had not seen the suspect." (Meaning: insisted on his story)
    • "She maintained her innocence throughout the trial.” (Meaning: stubbornly refused to admit guilt)
    • "The scientist maintained his theory even after new evidence emerged." (Meaning: held onto his theory)

4. To Keep a Certain Level or Standard (Often in Business/Operations)

  • Meaning: To ensure that something remains at a specific level or standard.
  • Examples:
    • "The factory maintains strict quality control standards." (Meaning: enforces standards to keep quality high)
    • "The bank maintains a reserve of funds to cover potential losses." (Meaning: keeps a certain amount of money on hand)
    • “The system maintains a constant temperature.” (Meaning: keeps the temperature steady)

5. (Less Common) To Support Physically

  • Meaning: To hold something up or support it.
  • Example: "He had to maintain the ladder while his partner painted the wall." (Meaning: hold the ladder steady)

Key Considerations & Synonyms:

  • Verb vs. Noun: "Maintain" can be used as either a verb or a noun.

    • Verb: “She maintains her house.” (action of keeping it up)
    • Noun: “Maintenance is a key factor in the building’s upkeep.” (the act of keeping something in good condition)

  • Synonyms: Depending on the context, you might use words like:

    • Keep
    • Preserve
    • Uphold
    • Continue
    • Sustain
    • Preserve
    • Protect
    • Hold onto

How to Choose the Right Meaning:

  • Look at the context: The surrounding words and the overall situation will tell you which meaning is intended.
  • Consider the subject: Is it a physical object, a system, a belief, or something else?

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to use "maintain" in? (e.g., are you writing a sentence, having a conversation, preparing for an exam?)
  • Can you give me an example sentence you’re struggling with?

Synonyms for the word maintain

Practice with vocabulary maintain

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. It is crucial to _______ a professional demeanor during client negotiations.
  2. To ensure the longevity of the infrastructure, local authorities regularly _______ the public roads and bridges.
  3. After intense scrutiny, the committee decided to _______ the original proposal without any major changes.
  4. The antique documents were stored in a climate-controlled environment to _______ their delicate state.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Despite a challenging economic climate, the organization managed to _______ its market share. A) diminish B) maintain C) neglect D) discontinue

  2. Effective project management requires a strong commitment to _______ communication channels with all stakeholders. A) foster B) ruin C) maintain D) undermine

  3. The IT department's primary responsibility is to _______ the security protocols and ensure data integrity. A) compromise B) uphold C) dismantle D) maintain

  4. Before the official launch, the team needs to _______ a comprehensive risk assessment. A) achieve B) undertake C) disregard D) neglect

  5. The company aims to _______ a collaborative culture where employees feel valued and heard. A) establish B) sever C) suppress D) diminish

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The university prides itself on keeping high academic standards. Rewrite the sentence using "maintain":

  2. Ensuring that all equipment is in good working order is a continuous process. Rewrite the sentence using a form of "maintain":

  3. The security team works diligently to keep watch over the premises 24 hours a day. Rewrite the sentence without using "maintain":

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. maintain
  2. maintain
  3. uphold (or affirm, approve)
  4. preserve (or protect)

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. B) maintain
  2. C) maintain
  3. B) uphold, D) maintain (Both are suitable as "uphold" means to confirm or keep to, while "maintain" means to keep in existence or a specified state. In this context, both fit for security protocols.)
  4. B) undertake
  5. A) establish

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The university prides itself on maintaining high academic standards.
  2. Ensuring the maintenance of all equipment in good working order is a continuous process. (Or: Maintaining all equipment in good working order is a continuous process.)
  3. The security team works diligently to monitor the premises 24 hours a day. (Other possibilities: observe, supervise)

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