maintain ties to

USAGE SUMMARY

"maintain ties to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
The phrase is typically used to mean keeping close contact or relations with someone or a group (i.e. family, friends, business associates). For example, "John makes sure to maintain ties to his high school friends by often exchanging letters".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

I.B.M., Coke and Toyota continue to maintain ties to Second Life.

The New York Times - Magazine

Although the two brothers live and work in Chicago, they maintain ties to Pepe Cardona in Mexico.

The New York Times

Coincidence, said Mr Karroubi, a veteran revolutionary cleric who tries to maintain ties to both the reformist and conservative camps.

The Economist

A Qaeda-linked terrorist group, Boko Haram, operates in northern Nigeria and is said to maintain ties to Islamists in Mali, but radical groups also operate in Niger.

The New York Times

Russia has striven to maintain ties to Iran — and retain its role as a broker in the conflict — while participating in the various rounds of Iran sanctions.

The New York Times

Teams, formed mostly by common country, serve as a family unit for many recent immigrants and help players maintain ties to their homeland.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Mr. Obama received the union's backing earlier this month and has long maintained ties to the group.

The New York Times

But it doesn't diminish the fact that Mr. Cheney still maintains ties to Halliburton.

The New York Times

He has maintained ties to K'zoo, as the locals call it, through his Turn 2 charity.

The New York Times

Despite growing up in Iceland, he maintained ties to the United States.

The New York Times - Sports

Henry VIII broke from Rome and established the Anglican Church, and his successor, Edward VI, maintained ties to it.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "maintain ties to", ensure the context clearly indicates the nature and purpose of the connection being maintained. For instance, specify whether it's a professional, personal, or cultural connection.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain ties to" if the connection is weak or infrequent. Use more appropriate phrases like "be acquainted with" or "have occasional contact with" to accurately reflect the relationship's intensity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain ties to" serves as a verb phrase indicating the action of preserving or continuing a relationship or connection. This involves active effort to prevent the relationship from weakening or dissolving as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "maintain ties to" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that denotes the act of preserving relationships or connections. According to Ludwig, it commonly appears in news media, scientific writing, and encyclopedic contexts, indicating a neutral register. When using this phrase, ensure that the strength and nature of the connection are clearly defined and avoid overstating the relationship's intensity. Alternatives like "keep in touch with" or "stay connected to" may be more appropriate depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep in touch with

Focuses on ongoing communication.

stay connected to

Emphasizes an ongoing connection, often in a digital or emotional sense.

cultivate relationships with

Highlights the effort and care involved in building and maintaining relationships.

preserve links with

Stresses the act of preserving something that already exists.

sustain relations with

Implies an ongoing effort to keep the relationship alive.

uphold connections with

Suggests a responsibility or duty to maintain the relationship.

foster bonds with

Emphasizes the development of strong emotional ties.

nurture relationships with

Highlights the caring and supportive aspect of maintaining relationships.

keep up relations with

Focuses on the continuation of existing relations.

continue communication with

Focuses specifically on maintaining a line of communication.

FAQs

How can I use "maintain ties to" in a sentence?

You can use "maintain ties to" to describe the act of keeping relationships alive or continuing to have connection with someone or something. For example: "Despite moving abroad, she continued to maintain ties to her hometown".

What's a good alternative to "maintain ties to"?

Alternatives include "keep in touch with", "stay connected to", or "cultivate relationships with", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "maintain ties with" or "maintain ties to"?

"Maintain ties to" is generally preferred when referring to a person, place, or organization. Both are acceptable, but using "to" often provides clearer context.

What does it mean to "maintain ties to" a particular culture?

To "maintain ties to" a culture means to actively preserve and nurture one's connection with that culture through traditions, language, relationships, and practices, even when living outside of that cultural context.