loose connection with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "loose connection with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a relationship or association that is not strong or tightly bound, often implying a lack of direct relevance or engagement. Example: "There seems to be a loose connection with the main topic of discussion and the points being raised by the speaker."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The pelvic girdle of some reptiles has a loose connection with the spine.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Humber already has a loose connection with two talented Mets pitchers.

The New York Times - Sports

The Information notes that CSS was owned by a friend of Kalanick's as well as having a loose connection with Uber.

TechCrunch

Does it matter given the piece's loose connection with literal reality?

Los Angeles Times

He maintained a loose connection with cricket; he appeared at a birthday dinner for Pelham Warner, at a centenary celebration for the Free Foresters Cricket Club and in a radio broadcast for Jack Hobbs's 80th birthday.

Wikipedia

A segment found by this 3D segmentation is supposed to have no connection or only a loose connection with other segments.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

In each division, there were also some local coordinators who were connected to front line staff, but who had loose connections with those higher on the organizational hierarchy (e.g. professional consultants, managers, members of the office of the MOH).

BMC Health Services Research

Boko Haram also has loose connections with Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and the Shabab of Somalia, according to Western military officials and diplomats.

The New York Times

Quantitative findings verify the customary picture for entrepreneurship education that exhibits low academic citation and loose connections with learning theories.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

In addition, investigators looking into recent cyberattacks at JPMorgan and nine other financial institutions believe the hackers may have "loose connections" with officials in the Russian government, according to The New York Times, which cited people briefed on the investigation.

Huffington Post

This expectation like the speculation it arises from has loose connections with empirical evidence, making it resistant to detailed discussions of the limitations of current efficacy data that should curtail interest [ 13].

BMC Medical Ethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "loose connection with", ensure the context clearly indicates the degree and nature of the connection. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the relationship's significance.

Common error

Avoid overstating the importance of something that has only a "loose connection with" the main subject. Exaggerating the link can mislead your audience and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "loose connection with" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. It describes the nature of a relationship or association, indicating that it is not strong or direct. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Science

28%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

16%

Formal & Business

6%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "loose connection with" describes a relationship or association that lacks strength, directness, or firm establishment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase. It's used across various contexts, including news, science, and encyclopedias, suggesting a neutral register. When using "loose connection with", ensure the context clarifies the relationship's degree and nature to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "tenuous link to" or "weak tie to" can offer similar meanings with slightly different emphasis. Avoid overstating the importance of a "loose connection with" something, as this can mislead your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tenuous link to

Replaces "connection" with "link" and "loose" with "tenuous", emphasizing the weakness of the association.

weak tie to

Substitutes "connection" with "tie" and "loose" with "weak", suggesting a less formal and less substantial relationship.

slight association with

Replaces "connection" with "association" and "loose" with "slight", conveying a minimal degree of involvement.

indirect relationship to

Changes "connection" to "relationship" and replaces "loose" with "indirect", highlighting the lack of a direct link.

peripheral involvement in

Replaces the entire phrase to indicate a marginal or non-central participation.

tangential relation to

Substitutes "connection" to "relation" and replaces "loose" with "tangential", indicating an incidental or barely relevant connection.

remote affiliation with

Replaces "connection" with "affiliation" and "loose" with "remote", suggesting a distant and weak association.

casual acquaintance with

Substitutes the entire phrase to refer specifically to a superficial relationship between people.

superficial contact with

Replaces "connection" with "contact" and "loose" with "superficial", highlighting a lack of depth in the interaction.

flimsy association to

Replaces "connection" with "association" and "loose" with "flimsy", emphasizing the insubstantial and easily broken nature of the link.

FAQs

What does "loose connection with" mean?

The phrase "loose connection with" indicates a relationship or association that is not strong, direct, or firmly established. It suggests a degree of separation or indirect relevance.

What can I say instead of "loose connection with"?

You can use alternatives like "tenuous link to", "weak tie to", or "slight association with" depending on the context.

How do I use "loose connection with" in a sentence?

Example: "The suspect had a "loose connection with" the victim through a mutual acquaintance." This implies the connection wasn't direct or significant.

Is it better to say "loose connection to" or "loose connection with"?

Both "loose connection to" and "loose connection with" are acceptable, but "loose connection with" is more common. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.