dubious relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dubious relationship" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a relationship that is questionable, suspicious, or lacking in trustworthiness. Example: "The investigation revealed a dubious relationship between the two companies, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

A board game version of a dubious relationship advice book.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The playful installation explores our intimate but dubious relationship to machines, and reflects back our own humanness.

Harvard University

He still has a dubious relationship with the whole truth and nothing but, and not merely in the matter of Anita Hill.

The New York Times

"This is the first time an anti-European, xenophobic party with a very dubious relationship toward the Nazi past has come into the government of a member state," Germany's foreign minister, Joschka Fischer, said on Wednesday.

The New York Times

Yes, she might also be cunning, manipulative and possibly sociopathic, but I still found it hard to subdue a cheer when she turned the tables so smartly on AC-12, calling out Hastings on his dodgy finances and Steve on his dubious relationship choices, while subtly threatening Kate with the exposure of her affair.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There were a couple of contingent problems: the dubious relationship with Philidor made people wary of Valeant's accounting (the company just announced that it would have to re-state earnings for 2014 and part of 2015), while the political backlash provoked by Shkreli limited Valeant's ability to raise prices.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The chair of the public accounts committee, Margaret Hodge, said that the Education Funding Agency needed to get a grip of these "dubious" relationships.

The Guardian

The order Salmoniformes was created to remove several diverse groups of dubious relationships from the order Clupeiformes; these groups were thus considered as the basal stocks in the evolutionary radiation of teleostean fishes.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There have been recurring unproven accusations of dubious relationships with dodgy businessmen, voting improprieties, dirty campaign tactics, lack of transparency and the giving of grants to community organisations in the tacit expectation of en bloc ballot box support.

The Guardian

Margaret Hodge, the chair of the public accounts committee which will question education officials about the figures, said the Education Funding Agency (EFA), which oversees the finances of academies, needed to get a grip of these "dubious" relationships.

The Guardian

Eventually, Hunting ends up with Williams Maguiree character, a psychotherapist and community college professor with a dubious historical relationship to Lambeau, and the two develop a therapeutic relationship that is the stuff therapists dream about.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dubious relationship" when you want to convey a sense of uncertainty, suspicion, or moral ambiguity about a connection between people, entities, or ideas.

Common error

Avoid using "dubious relationship" as a blanket statement. Always clarify what makes the relationship questionable to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dubious relationship" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective 'dubious' modifies the noun 'relationship'. It serves to characterize the relationship as questionable, suspect, or unreliable. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "dubious relationship" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe connections that are questionable or unreliable. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is most common in news and academic contexts. When employing this phrase, be specific about the reasons for doubt to avoid vagueness. Consider alternatives like "suspicious relationship" or "questionable connection" to fine-tune your message. Ultimately, understanding the nuances of this phrase can enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Dubious connection

Interchangeable in most contexts, emphasizing the uncertainty of the connection.

Suspicious relationship

Focuses more on the element of mistrust or suspicion surrounding the relationship.

Questionable connection

Emphasizes the uncertainty and doubt regarding the validity or appropriateness of the connection.

Uncertain alliance

Highlights the lack of stability and reliability within the alliance, suggesting potential risks.

Unreliable alliance

Highlights the lack of dependability of the alliance.

Shady dealings

Implies secret or illicit activities that undermine the integrity of the relationship.

Suspect dealings

Focuses on the lack of trust, similar to suspicious relationship, but focused on actions.

Compromised association

Suggests that the association has been tainted or weakened, likely by external factors.

Problematic entanglement

Underscores the complexity and difficulty associated with extricating oneself from the entanglement.

Risky liaison

Highlights the potential dangers and adverse consequences arising from the liaison.

FAQs

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

You can use "dubious relationship" to describe a connection that is questionable or suspicious. For example, "The investigation revealed a "dubious relationship" between the politician and the lobbyist."

What are some alternatives to "dubious relationship"?

Some alternatives include "suspicious relationship", "questionable connection", or "uncertain alliance", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "dubious relationship" or "shady relationship"?

While both imply a negative connotation, "dubious relationship" suggests uncertainty or doubt, while "shady relationship" implies more direct dishonesty or corruption. Choose the term that best reflects the nature of the relationship you are describing.

What makes a relationship "dubious"?

A relationship can be considered "dubious" if there's a lack of transparency, conflicting interests, ethical concerns, or if it raises questions about trust and integrity. The reasons can vary based on the specific context.