maintain relations with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain relations with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of keeping connections or interactions with individuals, groups, or organizations. Example: "It is important for businesses to maintain relations with their clients to ensure long-term success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Lithuania, which had refused to maintain relations with Poland because of the dispute over Vilnius, yielded.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"However, we maintain relations with both those countries to make sure those things do not happen," he said.

The New York Times

But he says the first thing Mr Funes told him was that he wanted to maintain relations with Taiwan.

The Economist

Its president, Mr. Kandov, a businessman who grew up in Tashkent, works to maintain relations with Central Asian governments, in part to ensure the maintenance of Jewish cemeteries.

The New York Times - Arts

The ambiguity about the meetings is typical of the lengths to which Taiwan has to go to in order to maintain relations with its close neighbours.

The Guardian

The issue has also been difficult for American authorities trying to maintain relations with a key ally ahead of a possible war on Iraq.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Until the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, the Emirates also maintained relations with the Taliban in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

"They strongly believe in maintaining relations with neighboring countries in the region, especially China".

The New York Times

Cultural anthropology maintains relations with a great number of other sciences.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Such schools spend a lot of resources on maintaining relations with ex-students.

The Economist

Outside the United States, the game's governing body is the Hurlingham Polo Association, which maintains relations with many national bodies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "maintain relations with" to emphasize the active effort required to keep a connection alive, especially when facing challenges or disagreements.

Common error

Avoid overuse of "maintain relations with" when a simpler term like "have relations with" or "partner with" would suffice. Overstating the effort can sound unnatural or imply existing difficulties when none exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain relations with" functions as a verb phrase that describes the action of actively preserving or continuing connections, typically between countries, organizations, or individuals. As Ludwig AI explains, this construction is grammatically sound and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maintain relations with" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes the act of actively preserving or continuing connections. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is broadly acceptable and finds frequent application across diverse contexts such as news, encyclopedias, science and wiki. When you want to emphasize the effort required to keep a connection, it’s a great option. Alternatives include "sustain relations with", "preserve relations with", and "retain relations with", offering nuanced ways to express the same idea. Be mindful of potential overuse; sometimes simpler terms might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustain relations with

Focuses on the continuation of the relationship over time.

preserve relations with

Emphasizes the effort to keep the relationship intact.

retain relations with

Highlights keeping or holding onto the existing relationship.

maintain ties with

Uses "ties" as a synonym for "relations", indicating a connection.

foster relations with

Suggests actively promoting and developing the relationship.

cultivate relations with

Implies nurturing and carefully developing the relationship.

manage relations with

Focuses on the active handling and administration of the relationship.

uphold relations with

Emphasizes the importance of supporting and defending the relationship.

keep up relations with

Indicates the effort required to continue the relationship.

continue relations with

Simply states the ongoing nature of the relationship.

FAQs

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

You can use "maintain relations with" when discussing efforts to keep connections or interactions with individuals, groups, or organizations. For example: "It is crucial for businesses to "maintain relations with" their clients to ensure long-term success."

What can I say instead of "maintain relations with"?

Alternatives include "sustain relations with", "preserve relations with", or "retain relations with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "maintain relations with" and "have relations with"?

"Maintain relations with" implies an active effort to keep a connection alive, while "have relations with" is a more neutral statement of existing connection. The former suggests effort or challenge in keeping the relationship going.

Is it better to "maintain relations with" or "build relations with"?

"Maintain relations with" focuses on preserving existing connections, whereas "build relations with" emphasizes creating new connections. The better choice depends on whether you are sustaining current relationships or establishing new ones.