formative relationships

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "formative relationships" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe relationships that contribute to personal or professional development over time. Example: "The formative relationships I built during my internship greatly influenced my career path."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The truth is that many young gay men have positive, formative relationships with older men at the beginning of their sexual lives.

The New Yorker

But actually, I have no grounds for my fantasy, as our wellbeing is grounded, not in riches but in our formative relationships, our beliefs, and our ingrained, habitual patterns of response to external stimuli.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our prehistoric ancestors, together with our formative relationships with non-human species and the natural world (and a gentle undermining of the anthropocentric differentiation between "humans" and "nature" – rejecting the false idea that we sit separate from the rest of Earth's ecosystem) can also be found in the work of the other five artists shown alongside Rivers's film here.

The Guardian - Arts

Koppelman's stirring essay on first love reminds anyone reading just how real and valid and affecting formative relationships can be.

Huffington Post

But will it save those formative relationships that floundered on the rocks of entire terms spent apart?

Vice

Sometimes people who were not properly protected or nurtured by their biological parents figure out ways to meet these unmet needs through developing formative relationships with parent figures so that they do not get stuck in unhealthy patterns and instead develop the ability to experience intimacy and live up to their potential.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Of your formative relationship with your former lover Michael, you write, "Our hatred remained as strong as our lust".

The New Yorker

Mandela's formative relationship was with Joe Slovo, of the South African Communist Party, which had been an enemy of apartheid for decades.

The New Yorker

Although many elements contribute to whether a woman winds up in a happy marriage, he said, women who had a formative relationship with their fathers "absolutely tend to display more confidence in their relationships with men throughout their lives".

The New York Times - Style

Namely, the networked practices of netizens (Internet citizens) have a formative relationship with their perceptions of, and interactions with, egao.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

This further implies that the networked practices of netizens have a formative relationship with their perceptions of, and interactions with, egao.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing someone's upbringing or the influences that shaped their character, use "formative relationships" to highlight the key connections that played a role.

Common error

Avoid using "formative relationships" in situations where simpler terms like "important relationships" or "close relationships" would suffice. The term is best reserved for discussions where the emphasis is on the developmental impact of those relationships.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "formative relationships" functions as a noun phrase, where 'formative' acts as an adjective modifying 'relationships'. It describes relationships that have a significant impact on the development of an individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "formative relationships" accurately describes connections that significantly influence an individual's development. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. While the phrase sees usage across multiple domains, it is more common in news and media and science than in academic writing or encyclopedic entries. When writing, reserve it for instances where highlighting developmental impact is essential. Consider "developmental relationships" or "influential connections" as suitable alternatives, depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Formative associations

Similar meaning, but replaces "relationships" with "associations".

Developmental relationships

Focuses on the aspect of growth and advancement.

Transformative relationships

Emphasizes the ability of these relationships to change people's lives.

Influential connections

Highlights the power to affect someone's actions or opinions.

Impactful relationships

Highlights the effect these relationships have.

Significant bonds

Emphasizes the importance or consequence of the relationships.

Crucial relationships

Emphasizes the critical nature of these relationships.

Shaping alliances

Suggests a role in molding or forming someone's character.

Pivotal connections

Highlights that the relationships are essential to something's success.

Key relationships

Indicates the relationships are crucial or essential.

FAQs

How can I use "formative relationships" in a sentence?

You can say, "Her "formative relationships" with teachers influenced her decision to pursue a career in education" or "The "formative relationships" during childhood are crucial for emotional development".

What can I say instead of "formative relationships"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "developmental relationships", "influential connections", or "significant bonds".

Are "formative relationships" only applicable to childhood?

No, while often used in the context of childhood, "formative relationships" can refer to any relationships that significantly shape a person's character or development at any stage of life.

What distinguishes "formative relationships" from regular relationships?

"Formative relationships" imply a significant impact on a person's growth, values, or beliefs, whereas regular relationships might be more casual or less influential.