abnormal relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abnormal relationship" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a relationship that deviates from what is considered typical or healthy. Example: "The therapist noted that the patient exhibited signs of an abnormal relationship with their parents, which affected their self-esteem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

In a check on Thursday, Google's Web site showed that no one had entered the phrase "abnormal relationship between son and mother" in Chinese for months until it suddenly became a popular phrase entered only in Beijing in the days before the show, making it more likely that it would pop up as a suggested search term.

The New York Times

CCTV, the state-owned television monopoly, broadcast an interview in which the announcer typed the word "son" into a Google search engine and was dismayed that one of the search terms suggested in Chinese was "abnormal relationship between son and mother".

The New York Times

In a check Thursday, Google's Web site showed that no one had entered the phrase "abnormal relationship between son and mother" in Chinese for months until it suddenly became a popular phrase entered only in Beijing in the days before the show aired, making it more likely that it would pop up as a suggested search term.

The New York Times

CCTV, the state-owned television monopoly, broadcast an interview in which the announcer typed the word "son" into a Google search engine and was dismayed that one of the search terms suggested in Chinese was an "abnormal relationship between son and mother".

The New York Times

It strikes us that if Mr. Moss, single-handed & withour recourse to law, can close up a theatrical production, any actor should have the right to close up an organization called Sigma Chi, on the ground that the members have for ed an abnormal relationship with the license commissioner and that this is detrimental to the morals and the health of the actors.

The New Yorker

And on the evidence of the promo clip, there will be a lot more cross-dressing in a scene featuring a deeply unattractive man who seems far too clued up on the Ripper murders for comfort – an in-joke given that Pemberton played an obsessive Ripperologist in ITV1's recent drama Whitechapel – and is clearly engaged in a rather disturbingly abnormal relationship with his mother.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

It seems possible (though unproven) that conditions in which sleep complaints are most prominent and conditions in which mood complaints are most prominent might have a common etiology in circadian phase malsynchronization which is characterized by abnormal entrainment of circadian rhythms to the solar day and/or abnormal relationships among rhythms in the body.

BMC Psychiatry

However, no information on the abnormal musculotendinous relationship with the popliteal vessel can be obtained with conventional angiography (Movie 1).

Insights into Imaging

Disturbed growth of the trunk may result in abnormal sternocostal relationship and a variety of pectus deformities.

Early Human Development

In materials prepared this way, the strength increased with increasing grain size and thus these materials were said to obey an inverse (or abnormal) Hall Petch relationship [56, 58 66, 66].

Nanoscale Research Letters

An abnormal immune relationship between a mother and a fetus has been associated with irregular pregnancy outcomes such as HM and choriocarcinoma (reviewed by Slim and Mehio, 2007).

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing relationships, use "abnormal relationship" to clearly indicate a deviation from typical or healthy dynamics. Ensure the context provides sufficient information to understand the nature of the abnormality.

Common error

Avoid using "abnormal relationship" as a vague label. Always provide specific details about what makes the relationship "abnormal" to avoid confusion and ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abnormal relationship" functions primarily as a descriptive term, characterizing the nature of a connection between individuals. According to Ludwig, the usage of this term is grammatically correct and serves to denote a relationship that deviates from the norm.

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, "abnormal relationship" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe connections that deviate from typical or healthy standards. According to Ludwig, the phrase is valid for use in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, its function is descriptive, its purpose is to highlight deviations, and its register is neutral. While semantically valid, "abnormal relationship" should be used with specific context to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "unusual relationship" or "dysfunctional relationship". Despite its correctness, this phrase is not frequently encountered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unusual relationship

Focuses on the deviation from the norm, similar to "abnormal", but with a slightly less negative connotation.

dysfunctional relationship

Emphasizes the impaired or unhealthy nature of the relationship.

unhealthy relationship

Highlights the detrimental effects of the relationship on those involved.

troubled relationship

Suggests the relationship is experiencing difficulties or problems.

strained relationship

Indicates tension or difficulty in the relationship.

impaired relationship

Focuses on the damaged or weakened state of the connection.

deviant relationship

Highlights the departure from accepted social or moral standards, emphasizing the unusual aspect.

irregular relationship

Focuses on the non-standard arrangement, potentially lacking formal recognition.

unorthodox relationship

Highlights the unconventional nature of the connection, often implying choice or deliberate deviation.

peculiar relationship

Suggests the relationship is strange or odd, drawing attention to its distinctiveness.

FAQs

What does "abnormal relationship" mean?

An "abnormal relationship" refers to a connection between individuals that deviates from what is considered typical, healthy, or socially acceptable. It often implies the presence of unhealthy dynamics or unusual characteristics.

What can I say instead of "abnormal relationship"?

You can use alternatives like "unusual relationship", "dysfunctional relationship", or "unhealthy relationship" depending on the context.

In what contexts is the phrase "abnormal relationship" typically used?

The phrase "abnormal relationship" is often used in discussions related to psychology, sociology, and news reporting, to describe non-normative social interactions, family dynamics, or interpersonal connections.

How do I use "abnormal relationship" in a sentence?

You can use "abnormal relationship" to describe the nature of a bond, such as: "The therapist identified an "abnormal relationship" between the patient and their sibling" or "The investigation revealed an "abnormal relationship" between the company executives and the regulator".