maintain watch

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain watch" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to mean keeping an eye out for something or monitoring a situation. For example: The sentry must maintain watch at all times for any signs of danger.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When figured out cost of such a service, it came to one hundred and thirty-five dollars a week or seven thousand dollars a year to maintain watch over the Round Table Restaurant.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But as police maintained watch on people shopping and strolling in parks, Zimbabwe seemed to be illustrating the idea that nothing, like something, happens anywhere.

The Guardian

It's a look that's turned inward, maintaining watch over her intimate life as it rots in isolation from the world around her, and even over her inner physical life, her very body, as it betrays her.

The New Yorker

Specifically, the program was not sharing their new identities with the F.B.I.'s Terrorist Screening Center, the agency that maintains watch lists used for purposes like determining who must undergo extra screening at airports or be placed on the no-fly list.

The New York Times

Subsequently on September 28 , 1976 a group of neighbors and police were maintaining watch over [REDACTED] residencies.

Huffington Post

Drones, by contrast, "will become cheaper and cheaper," he said at Thursday's press conference, which "essentially means that they'll be affordable to fly 24/7, maintaining watch on areas where it simply wouldn't be cost-effective with helicopters".

Vice

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission maintained watch over nuclear plants, three of which were shut down during the storm.

Environmental Health Perspectives

In 1970, Vera Salomons hired him to prepare her father's watch collection for viewing at the L.A. Mayer Museum, and from its opening in 1974, Markarian presided over the family gallery, maintaining watches so precious and delicate that he was often loath to wind them.

TechCrunch

The prosecutor alleged that the two men failed to sound the Condor's foghorn to warn vessels of their approach, failed to maintain visual watch at the time of the accident and failed to maintain sufficient radar watch.

BBC

The group receives money from the United States and several European governments whose intelligence services maintain close watch over the Free Syrian Army and assorted rebel groups, but whose governments have refused to engage in substantive outreach to them, Nakhla said.

The Washington Post

On that question, collectors appear to be divided into two camps: Those who believe that to maintain a watch's accuracy its lubricants need to be spread evenly by a continuous movement of the gears and wheels; and those who believe that increased wear resulting from continual movement may do more harm than good.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about security or protective measures, use "maintain watch" to convey a sense of diligence and continuous monitoring. For instance, "Security personnel must maintain watch throughout the night to prevent unauthorized access."

Common error

Avoid using "maintain watch" in passive voice constructions where the subject is unclear or missing. For example, instead of saying "A watch must be maintained," specify who is maintaining the watch, such as "The security team must maintain watch."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain watch" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "maintain" is the main verb and "watch" acts as a noun object. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and frequently used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "maintain watch" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase that describes the act of continuously monitoring something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and academic writing. Its purpose is to instruct or describe vigilance, and it carries a neutral register. To avoid monotony, alternatives like "keep a lookout" or "stay vigilant" can be used. A key writing tip is to specify who is maintaining the watch for clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep a lookout

Focuses on active observation for potential threats or changes.

stay vigilant

Emphasizes a state of alertness and readiness.

monitor closely

Highlights careful and continuous observation.

keep under surveillance

Suggests a more formal or discreet observation.

oversee operations

Implies responsibility for managing and observing activities.

patrol the area

Highlights regular monitoring of a specific location.

supervise activities

Focuses on directing and observing tasks or events.

observe carefully

Emphasizes the detailed and attentive nature of the observation.

keep tabs on

Suggests informally tracking and monitoring.

be on the alert

Emphasizes readiness to respond to potential issues.

FAQs

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

You can use "maintain watch" to describe keeping vigilant observation, as in: "The coast guard must "maintain a watch" on the seas."

What are some alternatives to saying "maintain watch"?

Alternatives include "keep a lookout", "stay vigilant", or "monitor closely", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "maintain a watch" or "maintain watch"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "maintain watch" is more common and concise. "Maintain a watch" can be used when emphasizing the act of establishing or initiating the watch.

What's the difference between "maintain watch" and "observe"?

"Maintain watch" implies continuous and often proactive monitoring, while "observe" simply means to notice or watch something. "Maintain watch" suggests a duty or responsibility to keep an eye on something, while "observe carefully" is a general action of perception.