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Prepositions after verbs

Maintain with by and in

Maintain often uses by to show method. In usually introduces a condition, area, or place rather than forming a fixed combination.

Quick answer

How do maintain by and maintain in differ?

Use maintain by to explain how something is sustained. Use maintain in when referring to a state, field, or location where something continues.

They maintained by careful planning.
The tradition is still maintained in some villages.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
maintain by + method

Showing how something is sustained

By introduces the action or method used to maintain something.

The team maintained quality by checking every report.
2
maintain in + place

Referring to a location

In introduces the place where something continues or is preserved.

Ancient customs are maintained in rural communities.
3
maintain in + condition

Referring to a state or condition

In can describe the condition something is kept in.

The equipment is maintained in excellent condition.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
maintain by
They maintained stability by reducing costs.
show the method used
maintain in
The records are maintained in digital form.
show a state, form, or place
maintain at
The engine was maintained at a constant speed.
keep at a level or rate

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using by before a condition

Use in for conditions or states.

✕ The building is maintained by good condition. ✓ The building is maintained in good condition.

Treating in as a fixed partner

In usually introduces a place or condition rather than completing the verb itself.

✓ These practices are maintained in several regions.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The garden is maintained ___ excellent condition.
2. They maintained profits ___ expanding online sales.
3. The archive is maintained ___ digital format.

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Frequently asked questions

Is maintain by common?

Yes. It is used to explain the method used to sustain something.

Can maintain in describe condition?

Yes. Expressions like maintained in good condition are standard.

Does maintain need a preposition?

Not always. Maintain can directly take an object, as in maintain order.

magnify, by, magnify, in make by, in, for, of or to? "manage by" or "manage to"? manifest in, by, as, into or on? manipulate by, in, for, with or into? mar by, with, at, for or as? march in, to, on, into or through? "mark by" or "mark with"? "market in" or "market to"? "marry to" or "marry in"? masquerade as, under, at or Like? "massacre in" or "massacre by"?

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