a clear-cut relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a clear-cut relationship" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a relationship that is straightforward, unambiguous, and easily defined. Example: "In this study, we found a clear-cut relationship between exercise frequency and overall health."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"It's not a clear-cut relationship between calories and weight loss," Gaesser says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The binding energy trends for CO do not show a clear-cut relationship with its vibrational characteristics.

Electrochimica Acta

Many phenomena, however, differ between males and females without showing a clear-cut relationship with the sex hormones.

Environmental Research

Systems with better accuracy and reliability are generally the ones with higher REV, even though our analysis did not show a clear-cut relationship between overall forecast quality and REV in the context investigated.

Journal of Hydrology

Indeed, although ISZ staining did not allow us to detect gelatinolytic activity in extracellular spaces, we were able to demonstrate a clear-cut relationship between intracellular ISZ labeling and PNN intensity in individual neurons, which is fully consistent with local regulation of ECM composition.

Plosone

However, in two prior narrative reviews, there was not a clear-cut relationship between debt and specialty choice [ 7, 27].

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

A clear cut relationship between measures of severity and measures of distress, bother and impact on HRQoL pre-operatively has not been determined.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

Blunt where the novel is subtle, it follows its source in outline, with Changez (a fine Riz Ahmed) narrating his tale to the stranger, here a journalist with a preposterous name, Bobby Lincoln (Liev Schreiber), and a fairly clear-cut relationship with the American government: he's seeking information about a kidnapped American.

The New York Times

These conclusions were reinforced by results from an alternative analytical method, based upon correspondence between ranked gene lists [ 25], which also showed conflicting associations between CR and aging in liver, muscle and central nervous system, with a stronger and more clear-cut relationship in heart.

BMC Genomics

There was, however, no clear-cut relationship between the quality of exposure assessment and the results of the studies.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Unlike mitomycin-C, there is no clear-cut relationship between the cumulative dose of gemcitabine and risk of HUS.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a clear-cut relationship" to emphasize that the connection between two or more elements is easily understood and leaves no room for doubt or misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "a clear-cut relationship" when describing situations that involve complexity or multiple contributing factors. The phrase is best suited for scenarios where the connection is direct and straightforward.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clear-cut relationship" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying the noun "relationship". It describes the nature of the relationship, emphasizing its directness and lack of ambiguity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is indeed usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a clear-cut relationship" is a commonly used phrase that accurately describes an unambiguous connection. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It is most frequently found in scientific and news media contexts, often emphasizing the certainty and ease of understanding between the related concepts. To ensure effective communication, avoid using it in nuanced, complex scenarios, and instead use it to describe relationships that are direct and straightforward. Alternatives such as "an unambiguous connection" or "a distinct correlation" can also be used to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an unambiguous connection

Emphasizes the lack of ambiguity in the connection.

a distinct correlation

Highlights the separateness and identifiability of the correlation.

a well-defined link

Focuses on the clarity and precision of the connection.

a straightforward association

Suggests simplicity and directness in the relationship.

a direct link

Highlights the lack of intermediaries in the relationship.

a patent connection

Emphasizes the obvious nature of the connection.

a manifest relationship

Focuses on the evident and easily perceived nature of the relationship.

an obvious link

Indicates that the connection is easily noticeable and requires little interpretation.

a plain correlation

Suggests the correlation is simple and easily understood.

a transparent association

Highlights the openness and accessibility of the relationship to understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "a clear-cut relationship" in a sentence?

Use "a clear-cut relationship" to describe a connection between two or more things that is easily understandable and leaves no room for ambiguity. For example, "There is "a clear-cut relationship" between exercise and cardiovascular health".

What are some alternatives to "a clear-cut relationship"?

Alternatives include "an unambiguous connection", "a distinct correlation", or "a well-defined link" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a clear-cut relationship" in formal writing?

Yes, "a clear-cut relationship" is suitable for formal writing, particularly in scientific or academic contexts, where the emphasis is on clarity and precision. However, ensure that the relationship being described genuinely lacks ambiguity.

What's the difference between "a clear-cut relationship" and "a complex relationship"?

"A clear-cut relationship" implies simplicity and directness, whereas "a complex relationship" suggests multiple interacting factors and potential ambiguity. Use "a clear-cut relationship" when the connection is straightforward and easily understood.