maintain neutrality

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain neutrality" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
Example: It is important for the United Nations to maintain neutrality in conflicts between nations in order to effectively facilitate peace negotiations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

It only works when peacekeepers maintain neutrality.

The New York Times

"Burger King wants to maintain neutrality during this election," said Eric Anderson, a spokesman.

The New York Times

How do relief workers maintain neutrality when embedded with government security forces?

Stanford University

"We have been able to operate in this explosive environment for so long because we maintain neutrality," Mr. Brisson said.

The New York Times

Mr. Junod said the Red Cross, to maintain neutrality, would not detail the nature of the killings.

The New York Times

But in his second term he could no longer maintain neutrality, and the United States joined the Allies in the struggle against the Central Powers led by Germany.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Western democratic leaders instead maintained neutrality during the Spanish Civil War.

The New York Times - Arts

In other words, the ISPs currently have a vested interest in maintaining neutrality.

University of California, Berkeley

Solid solution involving ions of different charge is accomplished through coupled substitutions, thereby maintaining neutrality of the structures.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The US maintained neutrality until Germany and Japan declared war on it in December 1941 following the attack on Pearl Harbour, though it did supply the UK with war materials.

The Guardian

In simple terms, maintaining neutrality and independence drives humanitarian actors towards "state avoidance" while development requires much more of a partnership approach.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about international relations or political situations, use "maintain neutrality" to indicate a country's or organization's decision not to take sides in a conflict. For example, "Switzerland has historically chosen to maintain neutrality in international conflicts."

Common error

Avoid using "maintain neutrality" when you actually mean indifference or apathy. Neutrality implies a deliberate decision not to take sides, while indifference suggests a lack of concern or interest. Ensuring you understand this difference will strengthen the accuracy of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain neutrality" functions as a verb phrase, where "maintain" acts as a transitive verb requiring an object (neutrality). This is supported by Ludwig AI, which indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. The phrase often describes a deliberate action to remain unbiased.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maintain neutrality" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies a commitment to impartiality, most commonly in contexts related to news, academia, and international relations. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. When employing this phrase, ensure that you're conveying a conscious decision to remain unbiased, rather than simply expressing indifference. Also, consider alternative phrases like ""preserve neutrality"" or ""retain neutrality"" for subtle variations in meaning. Its usage spans from neutral to professional registers, often appearing in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and Encyclopedia Britannica. This demonstrates its reliability and consistent application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay neutral

A simpler and more direct way of expressing the same concept, removing the verb "maintain" for brevity.

avoid taking sides

Directly states the act of not choosing a side in a dispute, providing a clearer and less formal alternative.

preserve impartiality

Emphasizes fairness and lack of bias, altering the focus from neutrality to active impartiality.

act impartially

Focuses on the manner of action, highlighting the fairness and lack of bias in one's conduct.

uphold objectivity

Stresses the importance of an unbiased perspective, shifting the focus from a state of neutrality to the act of upholding objectivity.

ensure non-alignment

Highlights a lack of affiliation or alliance, specifying a political or ideological positioning rather than general neutrality.

remain uninvolved

Focuses on abstaining from participation or interference, offering a more direct expression of avoiding involvement.

abstain from intervention

Indicates a deliberate choice to not intervene or get involved, emphasizing the act of abstaining.

hold a nonpartisan stance

Specifies neutrality in the context of political parties, limiting the scope to political affiliations.

keep an open mind

Focuses on being receptive to different viewpoints without taking a side, relating more to personal attitude.

FAQs

How can I use "maintain neutrality" in a sentence?

You can use "maintain neutrality" to describe an entity's commitment to not favoring any particular side in a conflict or dispute. For example, "The mediator's role is to "preserve impartiality" and ensure a fair negotiation process."

What are some synonyms for "maintain neutrality"?

Alternatives include "preserve neutrality", "retain neutrality", or "avoid taking sides", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "maintain neutrality" or "maintain impartiality"?

While both phrases relate to objectivity, "maintain neutrality" generally refers to not taking sides in a conflict, whereas "maintain impartiality" emphasizes fairness and lack of bias. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean to "maintain neutrality" in a negotiation?

In a negotiation, to "maintain neutrality" means to ensure that no bias is shown towards any party involved. It involves "upholding objectivity" and treating all parties with equal respect and fairness.