contradictory relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

"contradictory relationship" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe the characteristics of two different things that are mutually exclusive or oppose each other, such as the contradictory relationship between freedom and control.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Mr. Trump has a personally contradictory relationship with the news media.

The Washington Post

Diarmaid MacCulloch charts this problematic and often contradictory relationship with aplomb in Silence: A Christian History.

The Guardian - Books

Calculation results obtained by MATLAB R2010a clearly show a contradictory relationship among the objective functions.

Energy Conversion and Management

The first was Josh Wortzel's original song "Lady Dynamo," which painted pictures of an electric, engrossing, contradictory relationship.

Stanford University

McSally's own story is a reflection of her nation's fragile, complicated and often contradictory relationship with Saudi Arabia.

The Washington Post

To explain this contradictory relationship, we examined SES differences in drinking patterns from an age-period-cohort (APC) perspective.

Drug and Alcohol Dependence

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Since the late 1980s, successive French governments had become mired in compromising and contradictory relationships with Tunisia.

The Guardian

The contradictory relationships between hardness and preferred orientation were also clarified.

Surface and Coatings Technology

In between them, the poet laureate of modern alienation, John Foxx, wanders through a mirror maze of fragmented, contradictory relationships, married to someone he doesn't recognise.

The Guardian - Music

Results from previous studies, however, showed inconsistent, or even contradictory relationships between LST and spatial pattern of greenspace, suggesting these relationships may be scale dependent (sensitive to spatial resolution).

Landscape and Urban Planning

To do so, I focus on the life stories of two migrant women their struggles with exploitation and care, and their contradictory relationships with home and nation in transnational labor migration.

Women's Studies International Forum

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, consider specifying the exact nature of the contradiction inherent in the relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "contradictory relationship" to describe situations where the opposition is weak or nonexistent. Ensure that the elements truly conflict, rather than simply differing in nature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contradictory relationship" functions as a noun phrase that describes a particular type of connection or association characterized by inherent opposition or inconsistency. It is commonly used to analyze complex dynamics, as shown by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

31%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "contradictory relationship" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression for describing situations where two or more elements are in opposition. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is widely used across various domains, including news, science, and academia. To enhance clarity, specify the exact nature of the contradiction. While versatile, avoid using it in situations where the opposition is negligible. Alternatives like "conflicting dynamic" or "paradoxical connection" can offer nuanced variations. In essence, understanding and employing "contradictory relationship" effectively involves recognizing and articulating genuine points of opposition or inconsistency.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conflicting dynamic

Emphasizes the dynamic nature of the conflict.

paradoxical connection

Highlights the paradoxical nature of the connection.

inconsistent association

Focuses on the lack of consistency in the association.

opposing interaction

Stresses the opposing nature of the interaction.

divergent bond

Emphasizes the diverging nature of the bond.

antithetical link

Highlights the directly opposed nature of the link.

clashing interplay

Focuses on the clashing nature of the interplay.

ambivalent tie

Emphasizes the mixed feelings or contradictory ideas of the tie.

tenuous coexistence

Highlights the fragile and possibly contradictory state of existing together.

complex tension

Emphasizes the intricate and potentially conflicting nature of the tension.

FAQs

How can I use "contradictory relationship" in a sentence?

You can use "contradictory relationship" to describe situations where two entities or concepts are in opposition or create paradoxes, such as "the "contradictory relationship" between freedom and security".

What are some alternatives to "contradictory relationship"?

Some alternatives include "conflicting dynamic", "paradoxical connection", or "inconsistent association", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "contradictory relationship" formal or informal?

"Contradictory relationship" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal writing might benefit from specifying the nature of the contradiction more explicitly.

What's the difference between "contradictory relationship" and "complex relationship"?

While a complex relationship may involve multiple facets and intricacies, a "contradictory relationship" specifically implies inherent opposition or logical inconsistency between its elements.