maintain watch over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintain watch over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of keeping an eye on someone or something for safety or monitoring purposes. Example: "The security team is responsible to maintain watch over the premises during the night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

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

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

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

Huffington Post

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

Environmental Health Perspectives

They keep watch over her for months.

The New York Times - Books

"Everyone who today tries to maintain his own little God-given plot of land will see that there will be nothing left to watch over," he said.

The New York Times

Anne watch over me".

The New Yorker

— to watch over sweet little Shirley Temple.

The New Yorker

County rules also emphasize the need to maintain a strict watch over migrant workers and visitors from outside the county.

The New York Times

George Pemberton and his new bride, Serena, maintain a close watch over a burgeoning logging empire, dealing with their workers while fighting off the efforts of environmental activists to expand the country's network of national parks.

The New Yorker

With Justin continuing to maintain a careful watch over the Danube river, the Avars contented themselves with the annual subsidy paid by Byzantium, and left the Empire in peace for some years to come.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "maintain watch over", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the level of attention and responsibility involved. It's suitable for scenarios requiring sustained vigilance and proactive intervention.

Common error

Avoid using "maintain watch over" in casual conversation. Simpler phrases like "keep an eye on" or "look after" are more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintain watch over" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of continuously observing and protecting something. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts requiring sustained vigilance, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "maintain watch over" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase that signifies continuous observation and protection. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, suggesting a neutral to formal register. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. While versatile, it's important to consider simpler alternatives like "keep an eye on" in informal contexts. Using this phrase effectively requires understanding the nuances of vigilance and proactive intervention to ensure its appropriate application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep a close eye on

Emphasizes vigilance and careful observation.

keep guard over

Similar to "maintain watch over" but emphasizes the guarding aspect.

keep under surveillance

Focuses on monitoring, often for security purposes.

supervise closely

Highlights the act of overseeing and directing.

monitor continuously

Implies ongoing and uninterrupted observation.

observe carefully

Focuses on paying close attention while watching.

oversee diligently

Suggests a responsible and thorough approach to supervision.

patrol regularly

Highlights the act of guarding an area periodically.

safeguard meticulously

Emphasizes the protective aspect with great attention to detail.

guard vigilantly

Highlights alertness and readiness in protecting.

FAQs

What does "maintain watch over" mean?

The phrase "maintain watch over" means to continuously observe and protect someone or something, ensuring their safety and security.

How to use "maintain watch over" in a sentence?

You can use "maintain watch over" in a sentence like this: "The security team must "keep a close eye on" the building to prevent any unauthorized access".

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

You can use alternatives like "keep an eye on", "monitor", or "supervise" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "keep watch over" or "maintain watch over"?

"Keep watch over" and "maintain watch over" are both correct, but "maintain watch over" suggests a more formal and sustained effort, while "keep watch over" can be more general. You can also consider to "maintain vigilance over".