maintaining contact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintaining contact" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of keeping in touch or staying connected with someone over time. Example: "In a professional setting, it's important for team members to focus on maintaining contact with clients to ensure their needs are met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For years they kept a hungry eye on China, maintaining contact through trading and border wars.

The New York Times - Arts

Television audiences have splintered, and social media is key to maintaining contact with audiences.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Mr McCain believes in maintaining contact with the North Koreans, primarily through multilateral talks.

The Economist

Each settled for maintaining contact only through family members and friends, and began dating others.

The New York Times

What is proper etiquette for maintaining contact with a onetime kind of stepparent?

The New York Times

When I got divorced from my wife the hardest part was maintaining contact in order to raise our son.

The Guardian - Opinion

But that's not the same as blaming them for maintaining contact, let alone assuming they're lying if they did.

The New Yorker

I'm sure there are a lot of issues regarding loneliness and just maintaining contact with the outside world".

The New York Times

Form tutors are the go to for families, so establishing and maintaining contact with home is essential.

The Guardian

Then there have been "place holding" summits aimed at maintaining contact and stabilizing ties during periods of domestic uncertainty.

The New York Times

He served in the Korean War after high school, and was awarded the Silver Star, maintaining contact with his Marine Buddies over the years.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "maintaining contact" in professional contexts, specify the methods of contact (e.g., email, phone calls, meetings) for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "maintaining contact" vaguely. Always clarify why the contact is being maintained. For example, instead of "Maintaining contact is important", say "Maintaining contact with clients ensures their needs are met".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintaining contact" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig shows many examples of it describing an ongoing action or process of staying in touch.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "maintaining contact" is a grammatically sound and frequently used gerund phrase, denoting the ongoing action of staying in touch. According to Ludwig, it's employed across diverse contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias. While versatile, clarity is key: specify the methods and purposes of maintaining contact. Alternatives like "keeping in touch" or "staying connected" offer similar meanings. Overall, understanding its usage nuances ensures effective communication in both professional and personal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keeping in touch

Focuses on the act of communicating regularly.

staying connected

Emphasizes the ongoing link or relationship.

keeping in communication

Highlights the aspect of exchanging information.

remaining in contact

Stresses the continuation of a previous connection.

staying in touch

Similar to keeping in touch, but with a slightly more casual tone.

fostering connection

Emphasizes actively nurturing and developing the relationship.

preserving ties

Highlights the act of protecting and conserving a bond.

nurturing relationships

Focuses on actively caring for and developing relationships.

cultivating communication

Implies a deliberate effort to improve and expand communication.

sustaining connections

Highlights the effort to keep the connections going.

FAQs

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

You can use "maintaining contact" to describe the act of keeping in touch with someone. For example, "Maintaining contact with customers is crucial for business growth".

What can I say instead of "maintaining contact"?

You can use alternatives like "keeping in touch", "staying connected", or "keeping in communication" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "maintaining contact" and "establishing contact"?

"Maintaining contact" refers to continuing an existing connection, while "establishing contact" refers to initiating a new connection. One is about nurturing an existing relationship, the other is about starting one.

Is "maintaining contact" formal or informal?

"Maintaining contact" is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The formality depends more on the surrounding language and the specific situation.