develop a relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

"develop a relationship" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to establish or nurture a connection or bond with someone. Some examples of when you could use this phrase are: - When describing the beginning stages of a romantic relationship: "They both knew they wanted to develop a relationship with each other, but they decided to take it slow and get to know each other first." - In a business context, when discussing building connections with clients: "Our company places a strong emphasis on developing relationships with our clients in order to establish long-term partnerships." - When talking about the evolution of a friendship: "We've known each other since high school, but it wasn't until college that we really started to develop a strong relationship with each other." - In a therapeutic setting, when discussing the process of building trust and understanding with a patient: "As a therapist, my goal is to help my clients develop a strong and trusting relationship with me in order to facilitate their healing process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

They develop a relationship in those moments.

The New York Times - Arts

Little by little, we develop a relationship with them.

The New York Times - Magazine

But I will develop a relationship by remote control".

The New York Times

We didn't exactly develop a relationship - anyway, not a friendship.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"However, I think it is an opportunity to develop a relationship with another company".

The New York Times - Arts

Have a group meeting, say hello and start to develop a relationship with each volunteer.

The Guardian

Time to develop a relationship, to learn how to communicate, build trust and understanding.

The Guardian

The Guardian will have to develop a relationship with its readers to sustain itself".

The Guardian

"To develop a relationship with Prada would be nice," Matveyev said wistfully.

The New Yorker

"Gore has one of those personalities you have to develop a relationship with".

The New York Times

I wanted to develop a relationship where I was nurturing somebody in a consistent way.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to establish a connection with someone, prioritize active listening and genuine interest to foster trust and encourage the other party to "develop a relationship" with you.

Common error

Don't attempt to "develop a relationship" purely for personal gain or superficial reasons. Authenticity and mutual respect are essential for building meaningful connections.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "develop a relationship" functions as a verb phrase where the verb "develop" takes the noun phrase "a relationship" as its object. It indicates the action of establishing or fostering a connection with someone or something. The Ludwig AI confirms that is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "develop a relationship" is a versatile and widely accepted phrase used to describe the process of forming or strengthening connections. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically sound and applicable in diverse contexts, ranging from personal interactions to professional collaborations. The frequency analysis indicates its common usage in news media and general communication. When using the phrase, prioritize authenticity and active engagement to foster genuine and lasting connections.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

build a connection

Focuses on creating a bond or link, often implying a more emotional or personal aspect compared to a formal relationship.

cultivate a bond

Implies careful nurturing and growth of the connection over time, suggesting a deeper and more meaningful relationship.

foster a connection

Emphasizes creating an environment where a relationship can grow and thrive, often used in a more formal or organizational context.

establish rapport

Highlights creating a harmonious understanding and trust, particularly in professional or initial interactions.

nurture a friendship

Specifically refers to the active care and support given to a friendship to help it grow stronger.

form a partnership

Indicates a collaborative agreement or alliance, typically in a business or professional setting.

build a professional network

Focuses on creating a web of contacts for career advancement and support.

create alliances

Stresses forming strategic partnerships, often for mutual benefit or protection.

grow closer to someone

Emphasizes increasing intimacy and emotional connection over time.

strengthen ties

Focuses on reinforcing existing connections, making them more robust and reliable.

FAQs

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

You can use "develop a relationship" to describe building connections with others, such as: "The company aims to "develop a relationship" with its customers through personalized service".

What's an alternative to "develop a relationship"?

Alternatives include "build a connection", "establish rapport", or "cultivate a bond" depending on the context and the nature of the relationship you are trying to describe.

How is "develop a relationship" different from "maintain a relationship"?

"Develop a relationship" refers to the initial process of building a connection. "Maintain a relationship" implies sustaining and nurturing an already existing connection.

Is it always necessary to "develop a relationship" in a professional context?

While not always required, taking the time to "develop a relationship" with colleagues or clients can significantly improve communication, collaboration, and overall success. However, maintaining professional boundaries is crucial.