affiliation

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "affiliation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a connection or association between two people, groups, or organizations. For example: "The company has an affiliation with charity organizations all over the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Union affiliation Current A member of an affiliated union pays a political levy automatically, unless they opt out.

The Guardian

I don't care about Boyle's party affiliation – nor do I agree with the logic that has led him not to vote.

The Guardian

Under Mississippi rules all voters, regardless of affiliation, are permitted to vote in the GOP primary, as long as they do not also cast a vote in the parallel Democratic primary.

The Guardian

As the account has misrepresented its affiliation, and the account is clearly controlled by Shapps, this is a violation of the terms of use".

The Guardian

With its own mechanism for drafting (and supporting) candidates, its own agenda, and its own media eco-system, the Tea Party is a third party by almost any criteria but ballot affiliation – and leadership.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The good thing is that everyone who works for the department cares about the manager – we all have an affiliation with him somewhere along the line, whether we've played alongside him or worked under him – and we love the club as well.

The Guardian - Sport

One wore "black" not instead of "Jamaican" or "Sikh" but alongside all those other labels of cultural and historical identity, as an anti-racist affiliation.

The Guardian - Opinion

The trio worked for al-Jazeera English, whose affiliation with the Qatari-owned al-Jazeera Arabic network – a network whose clear antipathy for the current Egyptian government severely riled the authorities in Cairo – was the most prominent factor in their arrest and conviction.

The Guardian

In a few years, we plan to have almost all 7bn people on earth connected in a single vast web, regardless of race, creed or political affiliation.

The Guardian - Opinion

A: No. Moderators are not employed on the basis of any affiliation, and are required to enforce the community standards neutrally and consistently across the site, whatever their personal perspectives.

The Guardian

To have a vote you have to consent to the affiliation fee and you have to send the party your details.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing formal connections between organizations, ensure clarity by specifying the nature and extent of the "affiliation". For example, instead of saying "the company has an affiliation", specify "the company has a strategic affiliation with a research institution".

Common error

Avoid using "affiliation" when a more precise term like "partnership", "subsidiary", or "membership" would better convey the specific nature of the relationship. "Affiliation" implies a connection, but lacks detail.

Linguistic Context

The noun "affiliation" primarily functions as a descriptor of a relationship or connection between entities, such as individuals, groups, or organizations. Ludwig indicates the term is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "affiliation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun to denote a relationship or connection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used correctly and widely. This word appears most often in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, indicating a formal tone. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to specify the nature of the "affiliation" instead of leaving it ambiguous. While alternatives such as "association" or "connection" exist, "affiliation" typically suggests a more structured or formal relationship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

association

This term is a more general term referring to a connection or bond between people or organizations.

connection

This term is very broad and can refer to any type of link or relationship.

relationship

Focuses on the nature of the bond between individuals or entities.

linkage

Emphasizes the act of connecting or the state of being linked.

tie

Suggests a strong bond or connection, often emotional or formal.

alignment

This term highlights a similarity or agreement in purpose or position.

alliance

Implies a formal agreement or partnership for mutual benefit.

membership

Refers specifically to belonging to a group or organization.

involvement

This refers to the act of participating or being engaged with something.

allegiance

Implies loyalty or commitment to a person, group, or cause.

FAQs

How can I use "affiliation" in a sentence?

You can use "affiliation" to describe a formal connection or association, such as "The university has an "affiliation" with several research hospitals" or "His political "affiliation" is with the Labour party".

What's the difference between "affiliation" and "association"?

"Affiliation" often suggests a more formal or structured connection, whereas "association" can refer to a broader or less defined relationship. An "affiliation" might involve a contract or agreement, while an association could simply be a shared interest.

Which is correct, "political affiliation" or "political association"?

Both "political "affiliation"" and "political association" are acceptable, but "political "affiliation"" is generally more common when referring to formal party membership or alignment. "Political association" can refer to a broader grouping or organization.

What can I say instead of "affiliation"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "association", "connection", "relationship", or "linkage". The best choice will depend on the specific nuance you want to convey.