is not reciprocal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not reciprocal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to indicate that a relationship, action, or feeling is not mutual or does not involve both parties equally. Example: "The support offered by the organization is not reciprocal, as they only provide assistance to select individuals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Food can ignore political boundaries, but in sharing there is a notion of reciprocity: If the minority group says that it is not reciprocal, then it can become appropriation.

Vice

"Fair Trade is now to be called Fool Trade if it is not Reciprocal," he wrote in another tweet.

The Washington Post

But the link is not reciprocal: building a link from "A" to "B" does not create one from "B" to "A".

The Economist

Unlike other provisions of the Civil Code (§ 1717), a defendant's right to recover attorney fees and costs is not reciprocal unless the court finds that the plaintiff did not prosecute the claim against the defendant in good faith (id. at § 1780, subd. (d)).

Harvard University

Therefore, ( f, T ) is not reciprocal continuous.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Now, Carlos joins the network and Bob trusts Carlos, but Carlos does not trust Bob (it is not reciprocal).

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

But when people I work with, other black people and people of color, pour out emotional stuff expecting me to have a magical answer, they don't ask me how I'm doing – the relationship isn't reciprocal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For videogame companies, though, the buyout trend isn't reciprocal.

Forbes

In other words, in 140-character increments, Mr. Trump diminished his own standing by causing a minor international incident, demonstrated that the loyalty he demands of the people who work for him isn't reciprocal, set back his policy goals and wasted time that he could have devoted to health care, tax reform or "infrastructure week".

Huffington Post

Initially, the interest was not reciprocal.

The New York Times - Sports

He chose two women, but the interest was not reciprocal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is not reciprocal", ensure the context clearly establishes what is expected to be mutual or balanced. For example, specify which actions, feelings, or obligations are not being returned or shared equally.

Common error

Avoid using "is not reciprocal" without clearly specifying what the reciprocal action or feeling should be. Readers may misinterpret the intended meaning if the expected exchange is not explicitly defined.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not reciprocal" functions as a descriptive phrase, indicating the absence of a mutual or equivalent exchange. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing relationships, scientific processes, and economic agreements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is not reciprocal" effectively communicates a lack of mutuality or equivalence. As affirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and versatile, suitable for diverse contexts. Its primary function is descriptive, highlighting an absence of balanced exchange, whether in relationships, scientific processes, or agreements. While the phrase is relatively straightforward, it's crucial to clearly specify what reciprocal action or feeling is expected to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like ""is one-sided"" or ""is not mutual"" offer similar meanings, allowing for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacks reciprocity

Directly states the absence of reciprocal action or feeling.

is not mutual

Highlights the absence of shared feeling or action.

is one-sided

Emphasizes the lack of balance or mutual exchange.

is not balanced

Underscores the unequal distribution or exchange.

is not returned

Emphasizes a lack of return action or feeling.

is asymmetrical

Focuses on the lack of symmetry or balanced relationship.

is unrequited

Implies that a feeling or action is not returned in kind, typically used in the context of love or affection.

is not interchangeable

Highlights a distinction where items or actions cannot be substituted for each other.

is independent

Suggests a relationship where one element does not rely on the other.

is non-commutative

Used primarily in mathematics to describe operations where the order matters.

FAQs

What does "is not reciprocal" mean?

The phrase "is not reciprocal" indicates that a relationship, action, or feeling is not mutual or equivalent. It implies that while one party may be giving or acting, the other party is not returning the same in kind.

How can I use "is not reciprocal" in a sentence?

You can use "is not reciprocal" to describe relationships, agreements, or interactions where there isn't an equal exchange. For example, "The trust in that relationship "is one-sided"; the feeling "is not reciprocal"."

What are some alternatives to "is not reciprocal"?

Alternatives include "is one-sided", "is not mutual", or "lacks reciprocity". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "is not reciprocal" formal or informal?

The phrase "is not reciprocal" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's a straightforward and widely understood expression. However, depending on the audience, a more technical term like "asymmetrical" may be more appropriate in highly formal settings.