What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
upheld
Example
The court upheld the verdict of the lower court. [upheld: verb]
Example
The company's commitment to quality has been upheld for decades. [upheld: past participle]
maintain
Example
It's important to maintain your car regularly to avoid breakdowns. [maintain: verb]
Example
She maintained her daily exercise routine even during the busy workweek. [maintained: past tense]
Example
He maintained that he was innocent of the crime. [maintained: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Maintain is more commonly used than upheld in everyday language. Maintain is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while upheld is less common and typically used in legal or formal contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between upheld and maintain?
Upheld is typically associated with a formal or legal tone, while maintain can be employed in both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to be used in a wider range of situations.