maintain ties with

USAGE SUMMARY

'maintain ties with' is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It means to keep in contact with someone or to cultivate relationships with them. For example, "We need to maintain ties with our business partners in order to ensure the success of our partnership."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Yet he appears to maintain ties with the four clinics.

The New York Times

There was a reason for Lambert to maintain ties with both women.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

While the Hmong maintain ties with relatives abroad, they emphasize their own place in the diaspora.

The New York Times

Taiwan and China refuse to establish official ties with countries that maintain ties with the other.

The New York Times

Still, he was shrewd enough to maintain ties with the West.

The New York Times

Weiss Stagliano does, however, continue to maintain ties with WSP/Australie.

The New York Times

Hispanics, by contrast, can maintain ties with relatives who stayed behind, thanks to cheap flights and Skype.

The Economist

He said the United States was not abandoning Europe, and would sustain sufficient forces there to maintain ties with allies.

The New York Times

Orthodox Christians in the West are members of na tional churches, most of which maintain ties with parent bodies.

The New York Times

Ms. Stonesifer said she would assist in the selection of her successor and planned to maintain ties with the foundation, perhaps taking on a particular project.

The New York Times

Unless these migrants had support systems in a founding group and could maintain ties with them, it probably wouldn't have been possible to keep pushing into unknown territory.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about international relations or business partnerships, use "maintain ties with" to suggest ongoing collaboration and mutual benefit.

Common error

Don't use "maintain ties with" when you actually mean establishing new relationships; the phrase implies an existing connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain ties with" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of preserving or continuing relationships. As Ludwig shows, it's commonly used in contexts involving diplomacy, business, and personal relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "maintain ties with" is a verb phrase used to describe the act of preserving relationships or connections. As shown by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and very common, appearing predominantly in News & Media and Academic contexts, suggesting a generally neutral to professional register. According to Ludwig, it's important to use this phrase when referring to existing relationships, not new ones. The phrase emphasizes the importance of keeping relationships active for mutual benefit, cooperation, or support.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sustain connections with

Emphasizes the act of keeping connections alive or ongoing.

preserve relations with

Highlights the effort to protect and keep relationships intact.

cultivate bonds with

Focuses on nurturing and developing stronger connections.

foster links with

Implies actively promoting and encouraging connections.

keep in contact with

A more direct and informal way to express maintaining communication.

stay connected to

Focuses on remaining linked and informed about someone or something.

uphold relationships with

Stresses the importance of honoring and supporting existing relationships.

continue communication with

Highlights the ongoing nature of the communication.

retain affiliation with

Focuses on preserving a formal association or membership.

manage relationships with

Emphasizes the active management and care of connections.

FAQs

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

You can use "maintain ties with" to indicate the continuation of a relationship or connection. For example, "It's important to "maintain ties with" former colleagues for networking purposes."

What are some alternatives to "maintain ties with"?

Alternatives include "sustain connections with", "preserve relations with", or "cultivate bonds with", each emphasizing different aspects of relationship management.

Is it correct to say "maintain a tie with" instead of "maintain ties with"?

While grammatically acceptable, "maintain a tie with" is less common. "Maintain ties with" is typically used to indicate multiple connections or an ongoing relationship.

What's the difference between "maintain ties with" and "establish ties with"?

"Maintain ties with" implies an existing relationship that is being preserved, whereas "establish ties with" means creating a new relationship or connection.