maintain proximity

USAGE SUMMARY

"maintain proximity" is a valid, commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when referring to the physical or emotional closeness between two or more people. For example, "Even after the couple had separated, they both agreed to maintain proximity for the sake of their children."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

In the UK, where it employs nearly 17,500 people across 32 sites, EADS said it was aiming "for a consolidation of activities" focused on its locations in Stevenage, Portsmouth and Newport "in order to maintain proximity to its key customers".

Independent

In addition to the coverage objective, we design control laws for coverage agents to avoid collisions and maintain proximity to a supervisor.

Automatica

The attachment behavioural system serves to achieve or maintain proximity to the attachment figure.

Wikipedia

Such infants do not seek and accept comfort at times of threat, alarm or distress, thus failing to maintain "proximity", an essential element of attachment behavior.

Wikipedia

By the end of the first year, the infant is able to display a range of attachment behaviours designed to maintain proximity.

Wikipedia

If females maintain proximity to the dominant resident male based on his long calls, then females must be able to approach the dominant male and avoid nonresident males by recognizing individual males' long calls.

Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Brokers say that some have hidden agendas that their children know nothing about — like maintaining proximity to grandchildren at any cost.

The New York Times

The reason for the unexpected coclustering of CD2 and 2B4 with inhibitory KIR may be to facilitate inhibition by maintaining proximity of activating receptors with the tyrosine phosphatases SHP-1 and SHP-2 recruited by KIR, thus providing the opportunity for rapid deactivation of signaling initiated by CD2 or 2B4.

Plosone

Although dolphin mothers seem to be partially responsible for maintaining proximity to their calves, displaying more approaches than leaves in the pair [44], there is no evidence that mothers in either dolphins or belugas use just eye monitoring of the calves for that.

Plosone

Individual variations in infants' attachment to caregivers can be observed through their behaviour, especially under conditions of stress that activate seeking and maintaining proximity.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Throughout the year, males were responsible for maintaining proximity between pair partners and defended territories mainly against other males but not against females.

Ethology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Be mindful of the register. While "maintain proximity" is generally suitable for formal contexts, consider simpler alternatives like "stay close" in informal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain proximity" when a more specific term would be more accurate. For instance, instead of saying "maintain proximity" when referring to the transmission of data, use "maintain connection."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain proximity" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "maintain" is the transitive verb and "proximity" is its direct object. This is consistent with Ludwig's examples, showing it describes an action performed to keep something near or close.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

57%

News & Media

28%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "maintain proximity" is a grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of keeping something or someone close, whether physically, emotionally, or strategically. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its usage is relatively uncommon, suggesting a need for careful contextual application. The phrase appears more frequently in scientific and news-related contexts. When writing, consider the specific type of proximity you're referring to and adjust your language to suit the formality of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preserve closeness

Focuses on the act of preserving a state of being close, rather than actively maintaining it.

keep adjacent

Emphasizes spatial adjacency and is more suited for physical objects.

sustain nearness

Highlights the effort required to keep something or someone near.

uphold closeness

Implies a responsibility or commitment to keeping something close.

ensure adjacency

Stresses the act of making certain that two things are next to each other.

retain vicinity

More formal and emphasizes the surrounding area or neighborhood.

secure closeness

Highlights the effort and actions taken to make a close relationship strong and safe.

hold together

Suggests keeping components of a unit or group in contact.

keep in contact

Focuses on communication and interaction rather than physical closeness.

stay connected

Emphasizes a link or bond, often in a more abstract sense.

FAQs

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

You can use "maintain proximity" to describe efforts to keep people or things close together, either physically or emotionally. For example, "The company decided to consolidate its offices in order to "maintain proximity" to its key customers."

What are some alternatives to "maintain proximity"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "preserve closeness", "keep adjacent", or "stay connected".

Is it better to say "maintain proximity" or "maintain closeness"?

While both phrases are acceptable, "maintain proximity" often refers to physical nearness or a strategic positioning, while "maintain closeness" emphasizes emotional connection. Choose the phrase that best reflects your intended meaning.

What does it mean to "maintain proximity" in the context of attachment theory?

In attachment theory, "maintain proximity" refers to the behaviors that infants (and adults) exhibit to ensure they stay physically close to their attachment figures, seeking comfort and security.