indirect relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indirect relationship" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a connection or association between two variables or entities that is not direct or straightforward. Example: "The study found an indirect relationship between social media usage and levels of anxiety among teenagers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Both films, Lanzmann's and Ophüls's, however, stand in a crucial, albeit indirect, relationship to "Strange Victory".

The New Yorker

But by the end of the week he was forced into an indirect relationship.

The New York Times

But even that has an indirect relationship to his beloved game.

The New York Times - Sports

They found an indirect relationship between diabetes (a disorder marked by poor glucose toleration) and low self-control.

The New York Times

The Italian Civil Code of 1865, enacted after the unification of Italy, had a close but indirect relationship with the Napoleonic Code.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Some environmentalists criticized Mr. Bush's approach sharply, arguing that he used California as an excuse to push an oil industry agenda bearing at best an indirect relationship to the electricity troubles.

The New York Times

"Why have Howard Kurtz do it, given his indirect relationship with Kim Dozier through his wife?" Roy Peter Clark, a senior scholar at Poynter, said, "The interview would have had more credibility if somebody else had done it".

The New York Times - Arts

Focusing on SFr18.2m (£7.75m) deployed for "payments for the acquisition of rights", the document states that these payments "are inducements (bribes) to third parties having a direct or indirect relationship to agreements negotiated by the ISMM group".

The Guardian - Sport

The details of Trump's indirect relationship with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps were revealed in The New Yorker in March, and, soon afterward, several Democratic senators asked for more details from the Administration.

The New Yorker

And both companies already have a close, albeit indirect, relationship.

TechCrunch

Groundwater Pumping Most problems encountered in deep excavations have a direct or indirect relationship with groundwater.

Visualization in Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "indirect relationship" when a direct link is absent, and the connection is influenced by one or more other variables.

Common error

Avoid implying causation when describing an "indirect relationship". The phrase indicates an association, not necessarily that one factor causes another.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indirect relationship" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is both correct and usable in written English, indicating that its grammatical function is well-established. The examples from Ludwig showcase its application in various fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "indirect relationship" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe a connection between two variables that is not direct, but rather mediated by other factors. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It's commonly found in scientific research, news reports, and formal analyses. When using this phrase, clearly specify the mediating factors to avoid confusion. While often used in these contexts, it's important to remember that it indicates correlation, not necessarily causation. Be sure to use alternatives like "mediated relationship" or "tenuous connection" when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mediated relationship

Focuses on the presence of an intermediary factor influencing the relationship.

attenuated association

Highlights the weakening or reduction of the direct connection.

contingent correlation

Emphasizes that the relationship depends on specific conditions.

non-linear relationship

Indicates the relationship isn't a straight line, implying complexity.

tenuous connection

Suggests a weak or fragile link between the elements.

roundabout connection

Highlights the circuitous and not immediately apparent nature of the relationship.

implicit association

Implies a connection that is not explicitly stated or obvious.

secondary correlation

Presents the correlation as not being the primary or main link.

oblique relationship

Suggests that the connection is achieved through an angle or indirectly.

circumstantial link

Highlights how the connection is based on surrounding circumstances rather than direct causation.

FAQs

How can I use "indirect relationship" in a sentence?

You can use "indirect relationship" to describe a connection between two things where the link is not direct. For example, "The study found an indirect relationship between exercise and improved sleep quality, mediated by stress reduction."

What's the difference between "indirect relationship" and "direct relationship"?

A "direct relationship" implies a straightforward link between two variables, while an "indirect relationship" means the connection is mediated by one or more other factors.

What are some alternatives to "indirect relationship"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "mediated relationship", "tenuous connection", or "non-linear relationship".

When is it appropriate to use the term "indirect relationship"?

Use "indirect relationship" when the effect of one variable on another is not immediate or straightforward, but rather occurs through one or more intervening variables. It's particularly useful in research contexts where mediation analysis is involved.