a mere relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a mere relationship" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the simplicity or insignificance of a relationship in comparison to something more complex or meaningful. Example: "While they had been friends for years, she realized it was just a mere relationship without any deeper connection."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

What they find difficult is the idea of keeping up the appearance of a "romantic partnership", which is supposed to be based on mutual love, and treating it as if it were a mere relationship of convenience.Thirdly, it could be that, for all the vaudeville of the past two weeks, Mr Hollande emerges with only minimal political damage.

The Economist

Not understanding her material, Ms. Siegel took a moral question and made it into a mere relationship play, the default mode for much contemporary drama.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"A mere business relationship between parties dealing at arm's length does not give rise to fiduciary duties," Mr. Thibodeau's lawyers wrote, citing two examples of case law.

The New York Times

Thus, the relationship between the aforementioned social events and the dramatic upswing in ECMO use in Taiwan following 2006 is more than a mere statistical relationship.

BMC Medical Ethics

In any event, divorce with children guarantees that the split cannot be tantamount to a mere breakup of a relationship.

The New Yorker

I explained that I was, I suppose ironically, on my way home from breaking up with someone who had been too old for me, and I didn't think throwing myself into another age-inappropriate relationship a mere nine hours later was prudent.

Huffington Post

It has been proposed that the association between BMI and the development of type 2 diabetes is more complex than a mere a dose-response relationship (4, 5).

Diabetes Care

The positive relationship between neophytes and native species is not a mere side effect of species area relationship of native flora, but indicates that the two groups do not directly compete.

Biological Conservation

However, most studies performed to date with carnivores as legitimate seed dispersers have focused on a mere description of mutualistic relationships [8], [15] [17] or on the evaluation of the effects of gut passage on seed viability and germination [18] [20], and only recently new topics have been addressed [21], [22].

Plosone

The best drama of the week was perfectly pitched for the average summer viewer's distracted attention span, successfully compressing the arc of an entire relationship into a mere 10 minutes - and I doubt Hef can manage that, even on Viagra and autopilot.

The Guardian

The Phillips curve, said Mr Lucas, was a mere statistical regularity a "reduced-form" relationship.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a mere relationship" when you want to downplay the significance or complexity of a connection between individuals or entities. It implies that the bond is not particularly deep or meaningful.

Common error

Avoid using "a mere relationship" when the connection actually involves complex emotions, significant history, or considerable interdependence. Choose a more nuanced phrase that accurately reflects the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a mere relationship" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a connection that is basic, insignificant, or lacking in depth. Ludwig AI confirms this through its analysis of example sentences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a mere relationship" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a connection lacking depth or significance. Ludwig's analysis of example sentences indicates its usage in contexts where the intention is to downplay the importance of a bond, contrasting it with deeper connections. It is most commonly found in news and media and scientific writing. Remember to use it appropriately when the connection is genuinely simple or superficial, and avoid it when the relationship has hidden complexities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a simple connection

Focuses on the lack of complexity in the relationship.

a superficial bond

Highlights the lack of depth or genuine feeling.

a surface-level tie

Highlights the lack of depth or emotional connection.

a basic association

Emphasizes the fundamental and uncomplicated nature.

a casual acquaintance

Indicates a lack of deep involvement or commitment.

a nominal connection

Suggests the relationship exists in name only.

a fleeting interaction

Suggests the relationship is temporary and insignificant.

a technical association

Emphasizes the formal or functional nature, devoid of personal investment.

a business-only affiliation

Indicates the relationship is strictly professional and transactional.

a transactional liaison

Highlights the exchange-based character, lacking deeper emotional investment.

FAQs

How can I use "a mere relationship" in a sentence?

You can use "a mere relationship" to describe a connection that lacks depth or importance. For example, "Their interaction was "a mere relationship" based on professional courtesy, not genuine friendship."

What are some alternatives to "a mere relationship"?

Some alternatives include "a simple connection", "a superficial bond", or "a casual acquaintance", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a mere relationship"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize the lack of depth, complexity, or emotional investment in a connection. Use it to contrast with a deeper or more significant type of relationship.

What's the difference between "a mere relationship" and "a close relationship"?

"A mere relationship" suggests a superficial or unimportant connection, while "a close relationship" indicates a deep, meaningful, and often emotionally significant bond.