establish a link between

USAGE SUMMARY

"establish a link between" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means to create a connection or relationship between two or more things or ideas. Example: The study aims to establish a link between stress levels and health outcomes.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Investigators tried without success to establish a link between Markovic and a higher authority in Belgrade.

The New Yorker

The ads establish a link between the company and its products and obesity, which could be risky.

The New York Times

Despite their inability to establish a link between Orsoni and Ange-Marie's death, the police took Orsoni into custody.

The New York Times

The key to squaring the circle is to establish a link between the new Sunni forces in the field and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's risk-averse government.

The New York Times - Magazine

He said Italian authorities were apparently trying to establish a link between Ms. Thomas and an anarchist group, the Black Bloc, whose members wear black.

The New York Times

American investigators have been trying to establish a link between Abdul Basit's family and the Iranian Baloch, who are supported by Iraq.

The New Yorker

"The ACCC has not found sufficient evidence to establish a link between these minority acquisitions and the competition concerns raised by market participants".

The Guardian

One of the coalition's leaders, Mohammed Abdel-Malik al-Mutawakil, said that the coalition "now wants to establish a link between them and us".

The New York Times

Prosecutors in the case failed to establish a link between Vioxx and the death of a 53-year-old man in 2001.

The Economist

Ramalho and his colleagues used an innovative new method of isotopic dating to establish a link between the landslide on Fogo and the boulders on Santiago.

The New Yorker

So the authors use their granular data to first establish a link between the two, which is apparent in the aggregate figures up to 2006 (see chart).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "establish a link between", clearly define both elements being connected to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming causation when only establishing a correlation. "Establish a link between" suggests a relationship, but further evidence is needed to prove one causes the other.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "establish a link between" serves as a relational verb phrase, indicating the act of creating or demonstrating a connection between two or more entities. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and suitable for written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "establish a link between" is a versatile and widely used expression for indicating the creation or demonstration of a relationship between two or more entities. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. Its usage spans across scientific research, news reporting, and formal business communications, suggesting its adaptability to different registers. While the phrase is frequently employed, remember to avoid implying causation solely based on establishing a connection. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "connect A and B" or "associate A with B" to convey similar relationships with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demonstrate a link between A and B

Emphasizes the act of proving the existence of a relationship.

show a relationship between A and B

Highlights the demonstration or evidence of a connection.

connect A and B

Uses simpler vocabulary and a direct structure to express the connection between two elements.

identify a relationship between A and B

Focuses on pinpointing or recognizing an existing association.

draw a connection between A and B

Suggests the act of inferring or identifying a relationship that may not be immediately obvious.

find a connection between A and B

Stresses the discovery of an existing link.

associate A with B

Implies a correlation or relationship, potentially less rigorous than establishing a formal link.

correlate A with B

Focuses specifically on a statistical relationship or interdependence.

bridge the gap between A and B

Implies reducing differences to foster a relationship, rather than just finding one.

unite A and B

Suggests bringing different ideas together to form a single entity.

FAQs

How can I use "establish a link between" in a sentence?

You can use "establish a link between" to show a connection or relationship. For example, "The study aims to establish a link between diet and health outcomes".

What can I say instead of "establish a link between"?

You can use alternatives like "connect A and B", "associate A with B", or "show a relationship between A and B".

Is it better to say "establish a connection between" or "establish a link between"?

"Establish a connection between" and "establish a link between" are largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, although "establish a connection between" might imply a slightly weaker or less formal relationship.

When is it inappropriate to use "establish a link between"?

It may be inappropriate if the connection is already widely known or obvious. In such cases, stating the connection directly might be more effective.