defining the relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "defining the relationship" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing the clarification of the nature or status of a relationship, often in a romantic context. Example: "Before we move forward, I think we need to have a conversation about defining the relationship." Alternative expressions include "clarifying the relationship" and "establishing the relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A smart way of defining the relationship between a particular breed of internet business and its users.

The Guardian - Opinion

Unlike many other versions of "Alice," this film also takes a stab -- a rather delicate one -- at defining the relationship between Dodgson and Alice Liddell.

The New York Times

We are prepared to undertake specific obligations restricting the support we can give to the government after a peace settlement and defining the relationship we can maintain with it after a peace settlement.

The New York Times

Together they establish that Mies was preoccupied by issues that remain of architectural moment: historical awareness, urban context and architecture's role in defining the relationship between subjective perception and objective reality.

The New York Times - Arts

A jointly run medical school needs approval by both institutions' boards before beginning the arduous process of becoming accredited, developing a curriculum and an admissions policy, and defining the relationship between the university and the medical center.

The New York Times

Thomas Roussineau, a lawyer here who specializes in privacy issues, said the lawsuits against newspapers could become benchmark cases in defining the relationship between public figures and the news media in France.

The New York Times

(And one would have thought that, at this moment in its history, the Catholic Church would not have much standing when it comes to defining the relationship between sexual behavior and doctrinal morality. However few in number the sinners might be, the failure to deal with them openly casts doubt on the integrity of the institution).

The New Yorker

That means, first and foremost, defining the relationship with his partner-in-power, Martin McGuinness, Sinn Fein's man of the moment and deputy first minister.It was, perhaps, an unfortunate start that Sinn Fein tried to hijack Mr Robinson's assumption of office to extract concessions on matters in dispute.

The Economist

If the Church Fathers of the 4th century quarreled over the relations between God the Father and God the Son, those of the 5th century faced the problem of defining the relationship of the two natures the human and the divine within God the Son, Christ Jesus.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Equations defining the relationship between the interactive inertial, damping, elastic and applied forces are presented.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

A graph database also has "edges" that connect the nodes and properties, defining the relationship between them.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "defining the relationship" in writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates what entities or concepts are being related and what aspects of their connection are being clarified.

Common error

Avoid using "defining the relationship" without specifying which relationship is being defined. Be precise about the entities involved to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "defining the relationship" functions as a verbal phrase often acting as a gerund or part of a longer verb phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its role in expressing the action of clarifying or specifying the nature of a connection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

49%

News & Media

28%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "defining the relationship" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for clarifying or specifying the nature of a connection between entities. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase appears across various contexts, particularly in science, news, and business settings. Its frequency and versatility make it a valuable tool for precise communication, suitable for formal and professional use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarifying the connection

Focuses on making the connection clearer, rather than the act of defining it.

establishing the link

Emphasizes the creation or confirmation of a link, implying a slightly more formal or structural connection.

determining the nature of association

A more formal and scientific way to express the act of understanding the connection.

specifying the terms of engagement

Highlights the setting of boundaries and rules, often in business or legal contexts.

delineating the boundaries

Focuses on setting limits and distinctions, especially in complex or sensitive situations.

outlining the parameters

Stresses the importance of establishing parameters or scope of something, providing a structured view.

formalizing the arrangement

Suggests making a relationship more official or structured.

setting the ground rules

Implies establishing basic agreements or conventions before proceeding.

understanding the dynamics

Shifts the focus to comprehending the interactions and forces at play within a relationship.

assessing the interdependence

Highlights the mutual reliance and influence between the entities.

FAQs

How can I use "defining the relationship" in a sentence?

You can use "defining the relationship" when discussing the clarification of a connection, like: "We need to spend some time "defining the relationship" between these two departments".

What's a less formal alternative to "defining the relationship"?

In a more casual context, you might consider using phrases like "understanding our connection" or "figuring out what we are" instead of "defining the relationship".

Is "defining a relationship" the same as "defining the relationship"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "defining a relationship" usually refers to establishing the characteristics of any relationship, whereas ""defining the relationship"" implies clarifying a specific connection already in place.

In academic writing, is "defining the relationship" appropriate?

Yes, ""defining the relationship"" is appropriate for academic writing. It suggests a formal examination or clarification of connections between concepts, variables, or entities.