ended their relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ended their relationship" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the conclusion of a romantic or personal connection between individuals. Example: "After months of disagreements, they finally decided to end their relationship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Her best friend ended their relationship.

The New York Times - Sports

She had ended their relationship less than three months earlier.

The Guardian

In September 2001, the companies finally ended their relationship.

The New York Times

Münter and Kandinsky ended their relationship about 1916.

Britannica

Prosecutors say that he was driven to murder after she ended their relationship.

Independent

In 2004, however, Mr. Dafoe and Ms. LeCompte ended their relationship.

The New York Times

In fact they met in the middle and ended their relationship.

The Guardian - Books

After Mr. Ellen became romantically involved with her, he and Mr. Williams ended their relationship.

The New York Times

One consequence is that some overstocked dealers have ended their relationship with the company.

The New York Times

The actors Martin Freeman and Amanda Abbington have ended their relationship after 16 years together.

The Guardian

She and the boys' father ended their relationship after Demetrius was born.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To avoid ambiguity, specify when and how the relationship ended, especially if it's relevant to the narrative.

Common error

Ensure that "their" clearly refers to specific individuals, especially if multiple relationships are discussed in the same context. Overuse of pronouns without clear references can cause confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ended their relationship" functions as a declarative statement indicating the termination of a bond between two or more entities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

23%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

HuffPost

12%

The New York Times

8%

Independent

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ended their relationship" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to denote the termination of a bond between individuals or entities. Ludwig AI validates its appropriateness across diverse sources such as news media, encyclopedias, and wikis. While generally neutral in tone, its formality can be adjusted through the use of synonyms like "terminated their association" or "parted ways". When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly identifying the subjects to avoid ambiguity. Overall, it serves as a straightforward and widely accepted way to communicate the conclusion of a relationship.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

split up

A common and informal way to describe the end of a romantic relationship.

parted ways

A more general and often gentler way to describe a separation.

severed their connection

Focuses on the breaking of a bond or link between individuals.

went their separate ways

Emphasizes the divergence of paths after a relationship ends.

terminated their association

Emphasizes a formal or professional separation.

separated

Implies a physical or emotional distancing, often a precursor to ending a relationship.

dissolved their partnership

Highlights the ending of a collaborative or business arrangement.

ceased to be together

A more formal and detached way of stating that a relationship has ended.

broke off their engagement

Specifically refers to the end of a planned marriage.

called off their marriage

Similar to breaking off an engagement, but with a slightly different nuance.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "ended their relationship"?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "terminated their association" or "dissolved their partnership", depending on the context.

Is "ended their relationship" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "ended their relationship" might be considered informal for some academic contexts. Depending on the field, you might opt for more precise or formal language.

How can I avoid ambiguity when using "ended their relationship"?

Ensure that the pronoun "their" clearly refers to specific individuals mentioned earlier in the text. If there's any chance of confusion, rephrase to explicitly name the individuals involved.

What are some less direct ways to say "ended their relationship"?

If you want to soften the impact, consider using phrases like "parted ways" or "went their separate ways". These options are less blunt and can be more appropriate in sensitive contexts.