a thread of connection

USAGE SUMMARY

"a thread of connection" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a subtle or intangible link or similarity between two things. For example, "We noticed a thread of connection between the two paintings, although they were created by different artists."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Behind my eagerness to take on the Tatro estate, there was also a thread of connection that reached back several generations.

The New Yorker

Its elegiac power is greatly enhanced by the sense that it is always dealing with history, with contradictory versions of events, with inexplicable or unknowable things whose accessibility, even to the imagination, is fading and in danger of being lost forever but to which the reader is being given a thread of connection.

The New York Times - Books

Also, the items can document early literacy development along a continuum that has a thread of connection with early literacy acquisition theories.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mr. Salpeter unspooled a thread of connections that led from Mr. Steuerman to one of his associates, Joseph Creedon, then to a half dozen witnesses who gave sworn depositions that Mr. Creedon had told them that he and another man had killed the Tankleffs.

The New York Times

There is a thread of a connection here because long before the Pistols, McLaren managed the New York Dolls, trying to shock life into their dying career by dressing them as communists.

The Guardian - Music

Take the phrases, sentences, paragraphs out of context and they all sound like the same kind of hollow, pretentious, narrow-minded nonsense, but in fact there's a thread of logical connections by which they all hang together as more than the sum of their parts.

WikiHow

The communal aspect and extraordinary preparation time (of up to an entire year) create a powerful thread of connection among those who participate.

The New York Times - Arts

He only obtained a slight sense of it later that evening when Scott Franklin, the well to do, living binary of geeky black-framed glasses, short hair and handsomeness who had loaned Billy the Top Siders informed him about the bloodline, establishing for Billy a translucent thread of connection between he and the Harding girl by the weave of he and her father's rather simple conversation.

Huffington Post

A new program at the research agency is aimed at creating a machine learning system that can sift through the innumerable events and pieces of media generated every day and identify any threads of connection or narrative in them.

TechCrunch

When a friend died, once the thread of connection with her preoccupations and passions was severed, her files turned into a pile of old papers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Under these extreme conditions, it will not be surprising if the copy starts to lose the thread of connection to readers, not unlike the clothes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a thread of connection", ensure that the connection you are describing is subtle or not immediately obvious. It implies a deeper, more nuanced relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "a thread of connection" when describing a direct or obvious link. This phrase is best suited for connections that require interpretation or deeper understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a thread of connection" functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves as a subject complement or object, describing a subtle or underlying relationship. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a thread of connection" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to describe a subtle or non-obvious relationship. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. Common in news, science, and wiki contexts, its function is to highlight nuanced links. When using this phrase, ensure that the connection is not overly direct or obvious. For alternative phrasing, consider options like ""a linking element"" or ""a subtle link"" to vary your language. It's suitable for a variety of registers, but particularly effective in neutral and formal contexts where a delicate touch is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a subtle link

Highlights the subtlety of the connection, maintaining a similar nuance.

a connecting link

Replaces "thread" with "link", emphasizing the connection itself.

a linking element

Replaces "thread" with "element" focusing on the linking aspect and is more generic.

an underlying relationship

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the connection.

a sense of interconnectedness

Highlights the feeling of being connected, rather than a physical link.

a commonality

Focuses on a shared characteristic, simplifying the original phrase.

a perceived affinity

Implies a subjective connection, based on perception.

a semblance of cohesion

Suggests an apparent but perhaps not fully realized connection.

a recurring motif

Emphasizes a pattern or theme that connects different elements.

a correlating aspect

Focuses on the correlation between different aspects.

FAQs

How can I use "a thread of connection" in a sentence?

You can use "a thread of connection" to describe a subtle relationship between seemingly unrelated things. For example, "There's "a thread of connection" between her early poems and her later novels."

What are some alternatives to "a thread of connection"?

Some alternatives include "a linking element", "a connecting link", or "a subtle link". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "a thread of connection" in formal writing?

Yes, "a thread of connection" is suitable for formal writing, as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. Its use adds a layer of sophistication to your writing, implying a nuanced understanding of relationships.

What's the difference between "a thread of connection" and "a point of connection"?

"A thread of connection" suggests a more intangible and continuous relationship, while "a point of connection" indicates a specific, identifiable shared element or location where two things meet.