fraught connection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fraught connection" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a relationship or link that is filled with tension, difficulty, or emotional weight. Example: "Their fraught connection made it difficult for them to communicate openly and honestly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Curiosity is one reason to try to forge a new, less emotionally fraught connection and, interestingly, your baby may do the work for you.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

From the start of their sentimental yet fraught connection, the director and the actors dramatize the equal likelihood of powerful experiences proving burdensome or energizing, of an enduring pain serving as motivation or as destruction.

The New Yorker

The film (being shown at 8 p.m. July 21 at the School of Visual Arts) observes the fraught connection between Russell Tom Cullenn), a lifeguard at a public pool, and Glen Chris Neww), a free-spirited art gallery employee in Nottingham, England, over two days after which Glen leaves for a two-year stay in the United States.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In his eyes the emotions that fuel the film are the profound and often fraught connections between mother and child, whether or not those ties are biological.

The New York Times

What is dismayingly absent from Mr. Gold's torpid production, unfortunately, is any palpable sense of the fraught emotional connections among these characters.

The New York Times

But, without being fraught, the connections are always palpable, charging the gaps between the performers as the dance fills the silences between the musical passages.

The New York Times - Arts

The selection of a World Twenty20 squad for next month's tournament in India has again focused the mind on the fraught, quietly shifting connection between new and old worlds.

The Guardian - Sport

But that little detail - that Private Smith died in a dangerous job that she took to support a family - is fraught with human connection and tragedy, and we lose that if we over-idealize what led them to the battlefield.

Huffington Post

The aim may be to give the family access to resources from other micro-systems; to develop connections fraught with conflict between micro-systems (e.g. the family and the child-care); or to coordinate multiple micro-systems involved in network meetings.

Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health

Now the characters can connect, even if these connections are fraught and painful.

The New York Times - Books

Smith maps the emotionally fraught and ethically unsettling connections between Moll's family and the family of her masters, and the wounds of grief and loss suffered by each, against the backdrop of America's post-revolutionary growing pains.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using alternative phrases like "tense relationship" or "troubled relationship" for situations that do not require the intensity implied by "fraught".

Common error

Avoid using "fraught connection" simply as a dramatic embellishment. Ensure the relationship genuinely involves significant tension or difficulty. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fraught connection" functions as an adjective-noun combination where 'fraught' modifies 'connection'. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and highlights examples in various contexts, demonstrating its ability to describe tense or difficult relationships.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fraught connection" is a grammatically sound and usable term for describing relationships or links characterized by tension, anxiety, or difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to highlight the problematic nature of a connection, making it especially relevant in contexts such as news reporting and academic discussions. While alternatives like "tense relationship" or "troubled relationship" exist, "fraught connection" carries a particular intensity, signaling significant challenges within the defined relationship. It's essential to use the phrase judiciously, ensuring the context genuinely warrants its strong implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tense relationship

This alternative focuses on the tension present in the connection.

troubled relationship

This alternative emphasizes the problems within the connection.

difficult relationship

This alternative highlights the challenges involved in maintaining the connection.

strained relationship

This alternative suggests a weakening or damage to the connection.

complex relationship

This alternative points to the intricate and potentially problematic nature of the connection.

precarious connection

This alternative implies the instability and potential for collapse in the connection.

delicate balance

This alternative suggests that the connection is fragile and requires careful handling.

contentious link

This alternative highlights the argumentative or disputed nature of the connection.

thorny issue

This alternative refers to the problematic and difficult nature of the connection.

heated exchange

This alternative underscores the intensity and potential conflict within the connection.

FAQs

How can I use "fraught connection" in a sentence?

You can use "fraught connection" to describe relationships or links that are filled with tension, anxiety, or difficulty. For example: "Their fraught connection made it difficult for them to communicate openly", or "The historical connection between the two countries is fraught with conflict".

What's a less intense alternative to "fraught connection"?

If you want to convey a less intense sense of tension, consider using alternatives such as "difficult relationship", "complex relationship", or "challenging relationship".

Is "fraught connection" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "fraught connection" is suitable for formal writing, especially when describing sensitive or critical situations. Its intensity makes it effective in conveying the gravity of the relationship's challenges.

What are some common causes of a "fraught connection"?

A "fraught connection" can stem from a variety of causes, including historical conflicts, deep-seated mistrust, differing values, or personal animosity. The key element is the presence of significant and persistent tension.