strengthen ties

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "strengthen ties" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the process of mending, nurturing, or re-establishing a relationship, such as a familial connection, business partnership, or alliance between two or more entities. For example: "Both countries agreed to strengthen their ties through increased diplomatic visits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We are ready to further strengthen ties".

The New York Times

Emphasis on converging interests will help strengthen ties with Russia.

The New York Times

It has been, understandably, keen to strengthen ties with Beijing.

The Guardian - Business

Contain Iran and strengthen ties with Russia: surely a win-win.

The New York Times

The purpose of his early training was to strengthen ties between Siam Thailand and Cambodiaia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Damascus also took steps to strengthen ties to Tehran and Moscow.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The delegation also praised the Abe administration's efforts to strengthen ties with the United States.

The New York Times

It also came as China has worked hard to strengthen ties with the Bush administration.

The New York Times

He also worked to strengthen ties with black Jews in America.

The New York Times

How can we strengthen ties between research and industry and why do we need to?

The Guardian

But the subsequent explosion in the capital could prompt concerns over moves to strengthen ties.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing international relations or business partnerships, consider using "strengthen ties" to indicate a proactive effort to improve the relationship. Ensure the context clearly defines the type of ties being reinforced, such as economic, diplomatic, or cultural.

Common error

Don't use "strengthen ties" without specifying the type of ties or the entities involved. Vague usage dilutes the meaning. For example, instead of saying "The company wants to strengthen ties", specify "The company wants to strengthen ties with local suppliers".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "strengthen ties" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes an action taken to improve relationships or connections between entities. Ludwig's examples show its wide application in describing international relations, business partnerships, and community relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Encyclopedias

12%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Science & Research

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "strengthen ties" is a widely used and grammatically sound expression that conveys the action of reinforcing relationships across various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig. Predominantly found in news and media, it also appears in encyclopedias and academic sources. It is used to express a clear intention or action geared towards improving relationships across different entities, making it a key phrase in discussions of diplomacy, business, and social connections. When using the expression, it is a best practice to specify what type of ties are being strengthened to ensure clear meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cement relations

Highlights establishing strong, lasting relationships.

reinforce connections

Similar meaning, but with more emphasis on solidity and long-lasting.

deepen bonds

Suggests making existing connections more profound and meaningful.

foster connections

Focuses on encouraging the development of connections, rather than just making them stronger.

tighten links

Focuses on making the connection closer or more secure, similar to strengthening.

solidify partnerships

Focuses specifically on making business or formal alliances stronger.

bolster alliances

Similar to "strengthen ties", but mainly for military or political scenarios.

cultivate relationships

Implies a more nurturing and gradual approach to building strong relationships.

enhance collaboration

Emphasizes improving cooperative efforts, a specific type of tie.

improve cooperation

Focuses on making collaboration better, but does not specify relationships.

FAQs

How can I use "strengthen ties" in a sentence?

You can use "strengthen ties" to describe efforts to improve relationships between countries, organizations, or even people. For example: "The two nations agreed to strengthen their economic ties".

What can I say instead of "strengthen ties"?

You can use alternatives like "foster connections", "deepen bonds", or "cement relations" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "strengthen ties" or "strengthen the ties"?

"Strengthen ties" is generally used to refer to improving relationships in a broad sense. "Strengthen the ties" is more appropriate when referring to specific, pre-existing relationships. The best choice depends on the context.

What's the difference between "strengthen ties" and "maintain ties"?

"Strengthen ties" implies an active effort to improve or reinforce a relationship, while "maintain ties" suggests keeping a relationship at its current level, without necessarily enhancing it.