maintaining a gap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintaining a gap" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to express the idea of keeping a distance or separation between two entities, whether physical or metaphorical. Example: "In negotiations, maintaining a gap between our initial offer and the counteroffer is crucial for achieving a favorable outcome."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Partners who sleep less than an inch apart were more likely to be happy with their relationship than those maintaining a gap wider than 30 inches.

BBC

Also, the detailing problems with the anchorage system were avoided by maintaining a gap between the repaired column and the anchorage system.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

Toyota's worldwide output was up 10% to 9.02 million vehicles in 2006, while GM produced 9.18 million vehicles from factories around the world, maintaining a gap of about 162,000.

Forbes

In the absence of cruciate deficiency, the slope is kept neutral by maintaining a gap in the osteotomy site posteriorly that is twice as big as the gap anteriorly [64].

Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology

Sorting gates were determined by fluorescence intensity of FITC maintaining a gap between the lectin negative and the lectin positive gate.

BioMed Research International

This time period was chosen so that the early weeks may be effectively represented while maintaining a gap of at least a week from the 1-month time point, thus improving the chance of detecting any time effects present.

Cerebral Cortex

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It also has an intelligent cruise control, which maintains a gap between you and the vehicle ahead.

The New York Times

While he believes it is important to maintain a gap between Ó Briain the comedian and Ó Briain the science nerd, the distinction can be – spacesuit aside – a nebulous one.

The Guardian

He said industry-wide deflation and Asda's moves to cut prices had also affected the top line, as the supermarket tried to maintain a gap with its rivals on price and get closer to discounters Aldi and Lidl.

The Guardian - Business

Told to maintain a gap at Monza he promptly floored it in a bid to catch Nico Rosberg that ultimately led to his win, which is what the fans just love to see and the last thing a rival wants to hear over the radio or see in his mirrors.

The Guardian - Sport

However, the team ignored his request and warned him to maintain a gap to Webber.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing relationships, be specific about the type of "maintaining a gap". Is it physical, emotional, or strategic? For example, "The company is "maintaining a gap" in pricing to attract budget-conscious customers".

Common error

Avoid using "maintaining a gap" when you actually mean avoiding contact or interaction altogether. "Maintaining a gap" suggests a deliberate, measured distance, while avoidance implies a complete lack of engagement. Ensure your language accurately reflects your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintaining a gap" functions primarily as a verbal phrase that often acts as a gerund or participle, describing an ongoing action or state. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. The function can be either to define a process or to describe a feature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maintaining a gap" is a grammatically sound phrase that signifies the act of preserving distance or separation, as validated by Ludwig AI. While not exceedingly common, its usage spans diverse fields, most notably News & Media and Science. The phrase's function varies from describing ongoing actions to defining features, often serving the purpose of ensuring safety or strategic positioning. When using "maintaining a gap", be mindful of the context to ensure clarity and avoid misinterpretations, particularly distinguishing it from mere avoidance. Consider alternative phrasings such as "keeping a distance" or "preserving a separation" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keeping a distance

Focuses on the spatial separation between objects or individuals.

preserving a separation

Emphasizes the act of ensuring that two things remain distinct and not connected.

upholding a space

Highlights the act of defending or supporting the existence of a gap.

retaining an interval

Focuses on the temporal or spatial distance between events or objects.

holding a margin

Implies maintaining an advantage or a buffer zone.

sustaining a divide

Highlights the act of keeping two things separate, often in a more abstract sense.

conserving a clearance

Emphasizes the act of protecting or saving a specific area of space.

safeguarding a void

Implies protecting an empty space from being filled or compromised.

keeping separate

A broader term signifying the act of preventing mingling or merging.

preserving space between

Directly states the action of keeping an area open between two or more items.

FAQs

How can I use "maintaining a gap" in a sentence?

You can use "maintaining a gap" to describe keeping a physical distance, such as "The vehicles were "maintaining a gap" for safety", or a figurative distance, such as "The negotiators were "maintaining a gap" between their demands".

What are some alternatives to "maintaining a gap"?

You can use alternatives like "keeping a distance", "preserving a separation", or "upholding a space" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "maintain a gap" or "maintaining a gap"?

The choice between "maintain a gap" and "maintaining a gap" depends on the grammatical structure of your sentence. "Maintain a gap" is an imperative or infinitive form, while "maintaining a gap" is a gerund or present participle form. For example, "We must maintain a gap" versus "Maintaining a gap is crucial".

What does it mean to "maintain an air gap" in cybersecurity?

In cybersecurity, "maintaining an "air gap"" means isolating a computer or network from the internet or other unsecured networks to protect it from cyber threats. This involves physically separating the system to prevent any electronic communication.