actual connection

USAGE SUMMARY

"actual connection" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to a literal connection between two things, or a figurative connection between two ideas. For example, you could say " We need to make an actual connection between the cause and the effect of this situation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Not that there is an actual connection, though.

The Guardian

The actual connection finally opened on Sept. 30.

The New York Times

On the other hand, there are a lot of Pelés -- poets who worked and made their reputations elsewhere and whose actual connection to New Jersey is fairly tenuous.

The New York Times

"It does not require the government to prove any actual connection to terrorist conduct but instead allows it to rely on guilty by association".

The New York Times

Even some medical staff who work in labor and delivery wards believe this one, possibly reinforcing in the popular mind the plausibility for an actual connection.

Britannica

She thus turns the actual connection in question to that of the filmmaker to his or her subjects and makes the film pivot on the radical identification that the filmmaker makes with them.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Density is the number of actual connections with respect to the maximum possible.

Nature

Fig. 4 represents the actual connections that were carried out (pictures taken in lab).

Cornell University

However, stories like this don't rely on actual connections, real-life hypocrisy or even an iffy inconsistency.

The Guardian - Opinion

The push to accumulate enormous amounts of information has also produced the risk of "a huge number of false leads" that could implicate people with no actual connections to terrorism, the committee said.

The New York Times

And most broadly, while there are striking affinities between the treatment of self and non-self in immunology and ideas about self, difference and tolerance in the wider culture, the actual connections often remain elusive.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "actual connection", ensure that you are emphasizing a real and verifiable link, not just a perceived or assumed one. Provide evidence or context to support the existence of the connection.

Common error

Avoid using "actual connection" when there is no solid evidence or basis for the link. Make sure to differentiate between a potential connection and a confirmed one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "actual connection" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in contexts where a real or demonstrable link is being asserted or questioned.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

26%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "actual connection" is a commonly used noun phrase that emphasizes a real, verifiable link between two or more things. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and versatile, appearing frequently in News & Media and Science sources. When writing, it is important to ensure that you have solid evidence to support the existence of an "actual connection", avoiding assumptions. Alternatives like ""genuine link"" or "real relationship" can be used depending on the specific context to add nuance. Overall, understanding the purpose and context behind the phrase will make writing clearer and more credible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuine link

Emphasizes the authenticity of the connection.

real relationship

Highlights the relational aspect of the connection.

verifiable link

Stresses the capability of the connection to be proven or confirmed.

tangible connection

Focuses on the concrete and perceivable nature of the link.

authentic bond

Emphasizes a deeper and more meaningful connection.

concrete link

Highlights a more specific and demonstrable connection.

direct correlation

Focuses on the immediate and measurable relationship between two variables.

demonstrable relationship

Highlights the ability to show proof of the relationship.

confirmed association

Stresses that the connection has been verified.

substantive link

Emphasizes the significant and impactful nature of the connection.

FAQs

How can I use "actual connection" in a sentence?

You can use "actual connection" to emphasize a real and verifiable link between two things, as in "There is no "genuine link" between the suspect and the crime scene".

What are some alternatives to using "actual connection"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like ""genuine link"", "real relationship", or "verifiable link".

Is it better to say "actual connection" or "real connection"?

Both "actual connection" and "real connection" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey; "actual" often emphasizes verifiability, while "real" emphasizes authenticity.

What's the difference between "actual connection" and "potential connection"?

"Actual connection" implies a confirmed and existing link, whereas "potential connection" suggests a possible link that has not yet been established or verified. So, the difference relies on showing an "authentic bond" versus an unconfirmed bond.