declining relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "declining relationship" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a relationship that is deteriorating or becoming less positive over time. Example: "The couple decided to seek counseling after realizing they were in a declining relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

One of the surest signs of a bad or declining relationship is the absence of complaints from the customer.

Harvard Business Review

Rene, for her part, is plagued by doubts: about her daughter, a declining relationship and advancing age, not to mention the hotshot gunning for her job.

The New York Times

The first issue, which is sponsored entirely by Toyota, will feature an article written by Peter S. Goodman on President Obama's declining relationship with young voters.

The New York Times

This ruling and the discourse that surrounded it aggravated ancient and modern antipathies, ushered more Catalan separatists into political office and hastened the declining relationship between Catalonia and Spain.

The Washington Post

Having the MCB as a clear voice, articulating Muslims' views, is still helpful, insists David Blunkett, a former Labour home secretary.Those within the council blame the declining relationship between officials and organised Islam on the coalition government.

The Economist

He does not feel much hope that Oracle Ranch will help their declining relationship, and his flippant scorn trails off in wistfulness: As if a month at what it invites us to think  Is little more than a fat farm for Anorexics,  Substance Abusers, Love & Relationship Addicts  Could help you, light of my life, when even your shrink..

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

By quantifying and measuring the strength of that relationships with a score that changes over time, you can celebrate a strengthening customer relationship, or proactively reach out and take action to reverse a declining customer relationship.

Forbes

As iron and lead promote oxidative damage, and hemochromatosis (HFE) gene polymorphisms increase body iron burden, HFE variant alleles may modify the lead burden and cognitive decline relationship.

Environmental Health Perspectives

There was no treatment difference in the declining linear relationships between Jmax or Vcmax with declining N, or in the ratio of Jmax : Vcmax through time.

AoB PLANTS

Their literary responsibilities have diminished; the standards of editing have declined; the relationship between writer and editor has become more limited.

The New Yorker

Since HSBC is supposed to know its clients and why they use HSBC, HSBC should have declined any relationship with a firm that the government officially and publicly believes may be helping people evade taxes.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "declining relationship" to introduce a discussion about the causes or consequences of the relationship's deterioration. This helps frame the topic and guide the reader.

Common error

Avoid using hyperbolic language when describing a "declining relationship". Overly dramatic descriptions can undermine the seriousness of the issue and make your writing seem less credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "declining relationship" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective ("declining"). It describes a relationship that is in the process of deteriorating. As shown in Ludwig, the phrase appears in various contexts to depict a negative trend in interpersonal or professional connections.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "declining relationship" effectively describes a relationship that is worsening over time. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, predominantly in News & Media and Science. While there aren't a huge amount of examples to analyze, it's important to be precise when employing the phrase: make sure to avoid hyperbolic language. Remember that the phrase suggests a trend, not necessarily a complete breakdown, and that alternatives such as "deteriorating relationship" or "waning relationship" can offer nuanced variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deteriorating relationship

Focuses on the worsening quality of the relationship.

decaying relationship

Emphasizes the gradual breakdown and corruption of the relationship.

waning relationship

Highlights the diminishing strength and importance of the relationship.

faltering relationship

Suggests the relationship is becoming unsteady and unstable.

souring relationship

Indicates a shift towards negativity and unpleasantness in the relationship.

strained relationship

Emphasizes the presence of tension and difficulty in the relationship.

crumbling relationship

Implies the relationship is collapsing or falling apart.

fracturing relationship

Suggests the relationship is breaking into pieces due to conflict or stress.

collapsing relationship

Highlights the sudden failure of the relationship.

unraveling relationship

Focuses on how the relationship is coming undone.

FAQs

What are some signs of a "declining relationship"?

Signs of a "declining relationship" can include decreased communication, increased conflict, loss of intimacy, and a general sense of dissatisfaction. These signs often indicate that the relationship is deteriorating over time.

What can I say instead of "declining relationship"?

You can use alternatives like "deteriorating relationship", "waning relationship", or "faltering relationship" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always possible to save a "declining relationship"?

While it's not always possible, many "declining relationships" can be saved through open communication, commitment to change, and sometimes professional counseling. The outcome depends on the willingness of both parties to address the underlying issues.

What are the common causes of a "declining relationship"?

Common causes include lack of communication, unresolved conflicts, infidelity, changes in life circumstances, and unmet needs. Addressing these issues proactively can help prevent a relationship from declining.