maintain surveillance over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain surveillance over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where monitoring or observing someone or something is necessary, often in security or law enforcement scenarios. Example: "The agency was tasked to maintain surveillance over the suspect's activities to gather evidence for the ongoing investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

One force behind the spread of hacking is the government's insistence on maintaining surveillance over anyone deemed suspicious.

The New York Times

A "state of precations" was enacted, which decreed that the local government maintained surveillance over suspected troublemakers and, if necessary, order a curfew.

Wikipedia

We can't maintain surveillance, so it's not worth getting mad.

The New York Times

At night, checkpoints at regular distances throughout Hargeisa maintain surveillance on diaspora youths and enforce cultural norms.

The Guardian - Opinion

An officer, ever vigilant, was maintaining surveillance on the front porch.

The New Yorker

It also operates the International Ice Patrol, which maintains surveillance of icebergs in the North Atlantic shipping lanes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The International Ice Patrol, operated by the U.S. Coast Guard, maintains surveillance of icebergs in the North Atlantic shipping lanes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The first, named "Stopper", maintained surveillance between sunset and first light off the port of Brest.

Wikipedia

Focus will be on on maintaining surveillance, rapid response capacity and support for Ebola survivors.

Unicef

The CGC Mellon's mission was to maintain close surveillance over 1,200 miles of Vietnamese coastline.

Huffington Post

The message is unmistakable: Scrutinize, critique, measure, evaluate and maintain constant surveillance over your body, and start this at the tender age of -- what, 5 or 6? Yikes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "maintain surveillance over" when emphasizing the continuous and sustained effort of monitoring something or someone. It's best suited for formal or professional contexts where consistent oversight is required.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain surveillance over" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler phrases like "keep an eye on" are more appropriate for everyday use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain surveillance over" functions as a verb phrase that describes a continuous and intentional act of monitoring. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for formal contexts. It expresses the sustained effort required to oversee or supervise activities or entities.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maintain surveillance over" is a verb phrase used to describe the continuous and intentional act of monitoring. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct, but examples are missing. While suitable for formal and professional contexts, it should be used judiciously in informal settings. Alternatives such as "monitor closely" or "keep watch over" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context. The phrase's formal register makes it well-suited for academic, business, and news-related content where sustained oversight is emphasized.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

monitor closely

Focuses on the act of monitoring with emphasis on detail.

conduct surveillance of

Replaces 'maintain' with 'conduct' focusing on the action of performing surveillance.

keep under observation

Emphasizes the observational aspect, suggesting detailed scrutiny.

keep watch over

Uses a more informal expression for closely monitoring.

exercise vigilance over

Implies a proactive and watchful approach.

observe carefully

Highlights the care and attention involved in the observation.

oversee the monitoring of

Highlights the supervisory aspect of maintaining surveillance.

supervise the tracking of

Focuses on tracking as the core element of surveillance.

scrutinize

Replaces the entire phrase with a single verb that means to examine closely and critically.

keep an eye on

Provides a simpler, more colloquial alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "maintain surveillance over" in a sentence?

You can use "maintain surveillance over" to describe the act of continuously monitoring a person, place, or thing. For example: "The police decided to "maintain surveillance over" the suspect's house".

What can I say instead of "maintain surveillance over"?

You can use alternatives like "monitor closely", "keep watch over", or "observe carefully" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "maintain surveillance over"?

It is appropriate to use "maintain surveillance over" in formal or professional contexts, such as in law enforcement, security, or scientific research, where continuous and careful monitoring is required.

What is the difference between "maintain surveillance over" and "observe"?

"Maintain surveillance over" implies a continuous and often systematic monitoring, while "observe" simply means to notice or watch something. Surveillance is more involved and proactive.