a negative association

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a negative association" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a connection or relationship that is perceived as unfavorable or detrimental. Example: "Many people have a negative association with the color black, linking it to mourning and sadness."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

MMP-3 and MMP-8 were positively associated while MMP-2 showed a negative association.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Forest had a negative association with most pollutants across space.

Ocean & Coastal Management

Yet he could never escape Rasputin, though this wasn't always a negative association.

The Guardian

There was a negative association between the microbiome diversity and Helicobacter abundance.

Nature

Emerging evidence suggested a negative association between increased travel distance and mortality after pancreatectomy.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

Results: We report a negative association between 5HTR2A receptor gene and BPAD.

Journal of Affective Disorders

There is evidence of a negative association between diabetes and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery

In this case a negative association between vertical curvature and both accidents and fatalities.

Accident Analysis & Prevention

However, social networking activities had a negative association with academic and general efficacy.

Computers & Education

"The word 'incontinence' can have a negative association, especially if they have a light problem".

The New York Times

If parasite burden causes increased mortality, we expect a negative association between host longevity and parasite species richness.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a negative association", ensure the context clearly defines both elements being associated and the direction of the relationship (i.e., which element negatively impacts the other).

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a negative association" implies direct causation. Just because two variables move in opposite directions doesn't mean one directly causes the other. There could be confounding variables at play.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a negative association" functions as a noun phrase that describes a relationship between two or more things where an increase in one is linked to a decrease in another. Ludwig provides numerous examples across scientific, news, and academic contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

12%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a negative association" is a grammatically correct and frequently used term to describe an inverse relationship between two variables. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread applicability across varied domains, especially science, news, and academia. It's crucial to remember, as the writing guidance suggests, that "a negative association" doesn't necessarily imply causation. When writing, aim for clear contextual definitions to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "inverse correlation" and "adverse connection", which can be selected depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Recognizing these nuances will ensure more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an inverse correlation

Emphasizes the mathematical relationship where one variable increases as the other decreases.

an adverse connection

Highlights the harmful or detrimental nature of the link.

an unfavorable link

Focuses on the disapproving or disadvantageous nature of the connection.

a detrimental relationship

Stresses the damaging or harmful effect of the association.

a contrary relationship

Indicates an opposing or conflicting relationship between elements.

an opposing correlation

Highlights the contrasting directional movement between two variables.

a conflicting link

Emphasizes the incompatibility or disagreement between connected items.

a discordant association

Suggests a lack of harmony or agreement in the relationship.

a reverse relationship

Focuses on the inverted nature of the relationship, where the typical direction is flipped.

a tradeoff

Implies that gaining something requires losing something else, a balancing act.

FAQs

How can I use "a negative association" in a sentence?

You can use "a negative association" to describe an inverse relationship between two variables. For example: "There is "a negative association" between smoking and life expectancy."

What are some alternatives to "a negative association"?

Alternatives include "inverse correlation", "adverse connection", or "detrimental relationship" depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it always bad if there is "a negative association"?

Not necessarily. "A negative association" simply means that as one variable increases, the other tends to decrease. Whether this is considered 'bad' depends on the specific context and what the variables represent.

What's the difference between "a negative association" and "no association"?

"A negative association" indicates an inverse relationship, meaning the variables move in opposite directions. "No association" means there is no discernible relationship between the variables; they do not appear to influence each other.