maintain observation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain observation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where ongoing monitoring or vigilance is required, such as in scientific research, medical settings, or safety protocols. Example: "During the experiment, it is crucial to maintain observation of the subjects to gather accurate data."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

From its position at Mubo Umphelby's company was subsequently ordered to maintain observation over the town and to block any Japanese movement towards Wau.

Wikipedia

In addition, similar to many EDs around the world, hospitals in Israel maintain observation wards in which patients are supervised for a period of 12 24 h.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Additionally, a limited time period of the patients, in maintain observation wards, is also possible in the physicians' decisions in an EDs.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

They include the Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO-II) mission to track carbon dioxide flows and the LDCM satellite to maintain observations of Earth's surface (both planned for a 2013 launch), as well as ICESat-2, which monitors the melting poles, scheduled for 2016.

Science Magazine

Any offensive on Idlib could raise tensions with Turkey, which maintains observation posts around rebel territory as part of a "de-escalation deal" with Russia and Iran, another ally of the Syrian government.

BBC

Whenever maintaining observation of all of each set and haul was not possible, observation was made of the majority or all of the set but only a portion of the corresponding haul.

Plosone

His suspicions were raised around this man, he took up observations, maintained observations, called for assistance.

Independent

The elevation of the head and upper body that is characteristic of the sitting posture likely enables these females to maintain continual observation of their surroundings, including the location and behavior of territorial males.

Plosone

Intermittent ATT is desirable in developing country settings to maintain direct observation with minimal strain on stretched health systems.

BMC Infectious Diseases

The authors maintain that observation and palpation remain the tenets of proper assessment, and that ultimately it is the patient's outcome and level of satisfaction that are the true measure of a successful treatment.

Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology

We started seismic observation using LT-OBSs from February 2015 to monitor volcanic activity, and repeated deployments and recoveries to maintain continuous observations.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "maintain observation" in scientific or medical writing, ensure the context clearly defines what is being observed and the parameters for observation. This adds precision and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain observation" in overly passive constructions that obscure who is performing the observation. Actively specify the observer to enhance clarity and accountability. For instance, instead of "Observation was maintained", write "Researchers maintained observation".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain observation" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun. Its primary grammatical role is to denote an action (maintaining) directed toward a specific object (observation). Ludwig provides examples showing its use in contexts where sustained attention or monitoring is required.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "maintain observation" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, as confirmed by Ludwig. It falls into the category of a verb phrase followed by a noun, commonly used to describe the act of continuous monitoring. Ludwig's analysis of various sources reveals its prevalence in scientific, news, and general contexts. While "maintain observation" is suitable for professional and formal communication, it is important to actively specify the observer to avoid passive constructions and ensure clarity. For contexts requiring a similar meaning, alternatives such as "continue monitoring", "keep watch", and "maintain surveillance" offer nuanced options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain surveillance

Focuses explicitly on continuous monitoring, often in a security context.

continue monitoring

Focuses on the act of repeatedly checking or tracking something over time.

keep watch

Implies a more general form of observation, often for protective purposes.

keep a close watch

Highlights the meticulous nature of observation.

monitor continuously

Focuses on the uninterrupted aspect of the monitoring activity.

keep under surveillance

Emphasizes monitoring for security or investigative purposes; it's more focused on potential threats or wrongdoing.

provide ongoing observation

Highlights the sustained and continuous provision of monitoring.

sustain vigilance

Highlights the need for sustained alertness and attentiveness.

hold under scrutiny

Suggests a detailed and critical examination, often implying a formal review.

preserve oversight

Emphasizes the act of maintaining control and supervision over a process or activity.

FAQs

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

You can use "maintain observation" to describe the act of continuously monitoring something or someone. For instance: "The scientists will "maintain observation" of the patient's vital signs" or "The security team will "maintain observation" of the building during the night".

What are some alternatives to "maintain observation"?

Alternatives to "maintain observation" include "continue monitoring", "keep watch", or "maintain surveillance". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "maintain observation" or "conduct observation"?

"Maintain observation" implies a continuous, ongoing process, while "conduct observation" suggests a single, specific instance of observing. The appropriate choice depends on whether the observation is a one-time event or an ongoing activity.

What does it mean to "maintain observation" in a medical setting?

In a medical setting, to "maintain observation" often refers to continuously monitoring a patient's condition, vital signs, or symptoms to detect any changes or complications.