establish rapport with

USAGE SUMMARY

"establish rapport with" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to develop a good relationship or connection with someone. Example: During the team-building exercise, we worked on establishing rapport with our colleagues from the new department.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

But other times I steal it back; that's the quickest way to establish rapport with pickpockets.

The New York Times

Indeed, today's events turned as much as anything else on the leaders' ability to establish rapport with each other.

The New York Times

Writers rely on it to establish rapport with readers, and teachers with students ("as we shall see").

The New York Times - Magazine

When a psychotic man, naked and hallucinating, turns violent, Gallagher strips off all his clothes to establish rapport with the man and calms him down.

The New York Times - Arts

And some of the doctors may have suddenly felt a greater need to establish rapport with their patients "especially with a big 8-by-10 sitting on the wall with their name underneath it," Dr. Huddleston said.

The New York Times - Health

Years before his presidency, campaigning for the New York State Senate in 1910, he admired the way a local congressman named Richard Connell used that salutation to establish rapport with a crowd.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

Establishing rapport with students is vital, as is giving feedback on their progress.

The Guardian

He had a knack for establishing rapport with people he negotiated with, even those who started out being antagonistic.

The New York Times

"He needs to be establishing rapport with people who have concerns and he seemed to be doing that today," said Mr. Chapman, who also oversees a church in Park Slope, Brooklyn.

The New York Times

Writing a column requires, in addition to knowledge of the subject matter, the ability to project a personality that engages with an audience and establishes rapport with it.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The police and the owners of the bilked businesses have described the man as believable and patient, a con man who establishes rapport with the owners or employees of the businesses before making his pitch.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When trying to "establish rapport with" someone, actively listen to their perspective and show genuine interest in their experiences. This can help build trust and create a more meaningful connection.

Common error

Avoid assuming that simply being polite or friendly will automatically "establish rapport with" someone. Rapport requires genuine effort, empathy, and active engagement with the other person's thoughts and feelings. Focus on building a connection based on mutual respect and understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "establish rapport with" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of creating a harmonious and understanding relationship with someone. It is commonly used in contexts where building trust and positive connections are important, as supported by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

27%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "establish rapport with" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe the process of building a positive, understanding relationship with someone. Ludwig AI validates its widespread use across diverse fields like science, news, and business. The phrase functions as a verb phrase, aiming to communicate the creation of a connection built on trust and empathy. While generally neutral in formality, it's crucial to remember that establishing genuine rapport requires active engagement and should not be mistaken for mere politeness. Alternatives include "build a connection with" and "foster a relationship with".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

build a connection with

Focuses on creating a bond or link with someone, emphasizing the initial stages of a relationship.

foster a relationship with

Highlights nurturing and developing a connection over time, suggesting a more ongoing effort.

cultivate understanding with

Emphasizes the development of mutual understanding and empathy.

develop a friendly relationship with

Specifies the type of relationship being built as friendly.

form a bond with

Implies creating a strong emotional connection or tie.

connect on a personal level with

Stresses establishing a connection that goes beyond superficial interactions.

create common ground with

Highlights finding shared interests or beliefs to build a foundation for a relationship.

win someone's confidence

Highlights obtaining someone's trust and belief in you.

ingratiate oneself with

Suggests making an effort to gain someone's favor or approval, which can sometimes have a negative connotation.

get on the good side of

Focuses on making a positive impression to gain favor or avoid conflict.

FAQs

How can I use "establish rapport with" in a sentence?

You can use "establish rapport with" to describe the process of building a good relationship with someone. For example, "The therapist worked to establish rapport with the patient" or "It's important to establish rapport with your colleagues to foster a positive work environment".

What are some alternative ways to say "establish rapport with"?

You can use alternatives like "build a connection with", "foster a relationship with", or "cultivate understanding with", depending on the context.

Is it better to "establish rapport with" someone quickly or gradually?

The speed at which you establish rapport depends on the context and the individuals involved. In some situations, a quick connection might be possible, while in others, a more gradual approach is necessary to build trust and understanding. It's crucial to be genuine and adapt to the other person's comfort level.

What's the difference between "establish rapport with" and "establish relationships with"?

"Establish rapport with" focuses specifically on creating a harmonious and understanding connection, often as a precursor to a more developed relationship. "Establish relationships with" is a broader term that encompasses any kind of connection, whether based on rapport or other factors.