maintaining a friendly relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintaining a friendly relationship" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the importance of keeping a positive and amicable connection with someone, whether in personal or professional contexts. Example: "In the workplace, maintaining a friendly relationship with colleagues can lead to better collaboration and a more enjoyable environment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Resisting the feuding-divas stereotype, Varnay and Nilsson maintained a friendly relationship.

The New Yorker

He had a strategy the idea was to maintain a friendly relationship with Suge but to separate his business".

The New Yorker

Matsui maintains a friendly relationship with Japanese and American reporters, understanding his demands as a celebrity but taking his stardom humbly.

The New York Times - Sports

He also maintained a "friendly relationship" with an unidentified Qaeda leader he knew since the 1980's through connections to Afghanistan, they added.

The New York Times

Nepal, however, was also careful to maintain a friendly relationship with China and Tibet, both for economic reasons and to counterbalance British predominance in South Asia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This time she's the title character, a divorced mother who is running a gym, putting her son into a snobby private school and trying to maintain a friendly relationship with her ex.

The New York Times

Those policies attracted heavy investment from France, its former colonizer, with whom Ivory Coast maintained a friendly relationship, and millions of migrants from nearby countries to fill menial jobs unwanted by prosperous, educated Ivoirians.

The New York Times

His hope, he said, is to maintain a friendly relationship with Interstate and the Wronowski family, which has run the ferry service, the only sea link to the mainland for the island's 875 year-round residents, for more than 60 years.

The New York Times - Tech

The dissolution was amicable, and Mr Khan appears to have maintained a friendly relationship with his ex-wife.

BBC

Prior to the Oppenheimer controversy, Teller maintained a friendly relationship with Oppenheimer.

Wikipedia

Menéndez met the Tequesta in 1565 and maintained a friendly relationship with them, building some houses and setting up a mission.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about relationships, use "maintaining a friendly relationship" to emphasize the effort required to keep a connection positive, especially after a conflict or disagreement. This suggests active work is being done.

Common error

While "maintaining a friendly relationship" is widely understood, overuse in formal writing can sound simplistic. In such contexts, consider stronger alternatives like "fostering collaboration" or "sustaining productive partnerships" to convey a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintaining a friendly relationship" functions primarily as a verbal phrase used to describe the action of keeping a connection positive and amicable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid English phrase. It is a common expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maintaining a friendly relationship" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the active effort of keeping a connection positive and amicable. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the expression sees widespread use in diverse contexts, including News & Media and Wiki sources. While generally neutral in register, it's important to choose more formal alternatives like "fostering collaboration" or "sustaining productive partnerships" in more formal settings. Remember that it implies ongoing effort, and isn't simply about "being friends". Alternatives such as "fostering amicable ties" or "cultivating cordial relations" offer nuanced ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fostering amicable ties

Emphasizes the nurturing aspect of the relationship, suggesting active effort to promote friendliness.

cultivating cordial relations

Focuses on the careful development of politeness and respect in the interactions.

preserving good terms

Highlights the act of keeping the relationship in a positive state, preventing it from deteriorating.

keeping up a positive rapport

Stresses the importance of harmonious communication and mutual understanding.

sustaining amiable connections

Focuses on the endurance of a connection characterized by warmth and friendliness.

nurturing a pleasant association

Implies active care and attention to ensure the association remains enjoyable.

upholding harmonious interactions

Stresses the maintenance of peaceful and agreeable exchanges.

managing a civil association

Highlights the controlled and respectful nature of the relationship, especially in potentially difficult contexts.

promoting goodwill

Focuses on actively encouraging kindness and positive feelings within the relationship.

developing rapport

Emphasizes creating a friendly environment.

FAQs

How can I use "maintaining a friendly relationship" in a sentence?

You can use "maintaining a friendly relationship" to describe efforts to keep connections positive, like: "Despite their differences, they focused on maintaining a friendly relationship."

What are some alternatives to "maintaining a friendly relationship"?

Alternatives include "fostering amicable ties", "cultivating cordial relations", or "preserving good terms", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to focus on "maintaining a friendly relationship"?

While generally positive, focusing on "maintaining a friendly relationship" may not always be appropriate. In certain professional or competitive scenarios, maintaining a strictly professional or objective distance may be more suitable.

What's the difference between "maintaining a friendly relationship" and "being friends"?

"Maintaining a friendly relationship" suggests a conscious effort to stay on good terms, even without deep emotional connection. "Being friends" implies a deeper level of emotional investment, shared experiences, and mutual support.