Definitions and Examples of maintain, preserve, retain
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
To keep something in its original state or condition.
Example
It's important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise routine to stay fit and active.
To protect something from harm or damage and keep it in its original state.
Example
The museum works hard to preserve ancient artifacts and historical documents for future generations.
To keep possession of something; to continue to have something.
Example
The company decided to retain its top employees by offering them better benefits and incentives.
Key Differences: maintain vs preserve vs retain
- 1Maintain refers to keeping something in its original state or condition, while modify means to change or alter it.
- 2Preserve implies protecting something from harm or damage and keeping it in its original state, while modify suggests making changes to it.
- 3Retain means to keep possession of something, while modify means to change it.
Effective Usage of maintain, preserve, retain
- 1Academic Writing: Use these antonyms to express contrasting ideas in essays and research papers.
- 2Technical Writing: Incorporate these antonyms in technical documents to clarify instructions and procedures.
- 3Business Communication: Utilize these antonyms in emails and reports to convey specific meanings and intentions.
Remember this!
The antonyms of modify are maintain, preserve, and retain. These words convey the opposite meaning of modify, which is to change or alter something. Use these words in academic writing, technical writing, and business communication to express contrasting ideas and clarify meanings.
