maintain friendly relations with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain friendly relations with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the importance of keeping positive interactions or connections with others, such as individuals, groups, or countries. Example: "It is essential for businesses to maintain friendly relations with their clients to ensure long-term success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

He says Syria wants to maintain friendly relations with Jordan.

The Guardian

Russia has tried to maintain friendly relations with North Korea, its ally during the cold war, even as it has sought to broaden ties with South Korea.

The New York Times

But the decision to expel the diplomat coincided with the Obama administration's expression of disapproval for Venezuela's willingness to maintain friendly relations with Iran, despite international efforts to isolate it over its nuclear program.

The New York Times

Speaking to the editor in chief of Italian daily Corriere della Sera, Luciano Fontana, he warned that it was "in the interests of the Italian people… to maintain friendly relations with Russia".

Independent

Among his proudest boasts was that he had managed to maintain friendly relations with the royal family, especially with Diana, but also with Queen Elizabeth, whose official spokesman, noting his death, told reporters that "those in the royal household who knew him were extremely sad to learn of his death".

The New York Times

Speaking to the Guardian at his official residence before Thursday's conference in Helsinki attended by the UK prime minister, David Cameron, and Nordic and Baltic state leaders, Niinistö said Finland had a long tradition of trying to maintain friendly relations with Russia.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In foreign affairs, the regime maintained friendly relations with Britain and supported Belgian independence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While the Jay Treaty (1794) with England was under consideration, he performed the delicate task of maintaining friendly relations with France.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Through his moderation, internal differences were ameliorated, and the Moravian Church maintained friendly relations with the Lutheran Church.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although he maintains friendly relations with the players, Robinson put them through unusually long and strenuous practices before the current playoffs opened against Florida.

The New York Times - Sports

Taiwan's government generally maintains friendly relations with Japan, and has not been very vocal about its claim to the islands.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about international relations or diplomacy, use "maintain friendly relations with" to emphasize the ongoing effort to keep connections positive and avoid conflict.

Common error

Avoid phrasing such as "Friendly relations were maintained by..." Opt for the active voice like "...maintained friendly relations with..." to make your writing more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain friendly relations with" functions as a verb phrase indicating an action taken to sustain positive connections. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "maintain friendly relations with" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, indicating an active effort to sustain positive interactions. It appears most frequently in news, encyclopedic, and wiki contexts, showcasing its versatility. Alternatives such as "foster amicable ties with" or "cultivate good rapport with" offer nuanced ways to express similar concepts. When using the phrase, prioritize active voice to enhance clarity and impact. Remember, the choice between "maintain" and "improve" depends on the present state and intended direction of the relationship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustain cordial links with

Focuses on the act of continuing a pre-existing warm connection with somebody.

preserve positive interactions with

Emphasizes the act of safeguarding an already existing friendly relationship with someone.

foster amicable ties with

Focuses on creating and nurturing friendly connections.

nurture favorable connections with

Conveys the idea of carefully and actively tending to relationships.

promote harmonious relations with

Stresses balance and peaceful interaction in relationships.

uphold friendly associations with

Emphasizes support and defense of already-formed connections.

cultivate good rapport with

Emphasizes developing a strong, positive connection.

develop positive relationships with

Highlights the growth and enhancement of connections.

keep on good terms with

Implies avoiding conflict and preserving existing goodwill.

encourage good understanding with

Underlines importance of empathy and understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "maintain friendly relations with" in a sentence?

You can use "maintain friendly relations with" when you want to express the act of sustaining positive interactions or connections with others, such as individuals, groups, or countries. For example: "It is in our best interest to "maintain friendly relations with" our neighbors."

What are some alternatives to "maintain friendly relations with"?

Some alternatives to "maintain friendly relations with" include "foster amicable ties with", "cultivate good rapport with", or "develop positive relationships with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "maintain friendly relations with" or "improve relations with"?

"Maintain friendly relations with" implies that the relationship is already positive and needs to be sustained, while "improve relations with" suggests that the relationship needs enhancement. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the current state and desired outcome of the relationship.

What does it mean to "maintain friendly relations with" a country?

To "maintain friendly relations with" a country means to actively work towards sustaining a positive and cooperative relationship through diplomatic, economic, and cultural exchanges, as well as avoiding actions that could damage the relationship.