loose relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "loose relationship" is correct and can be used in written English.
You could use it to describe a relationship between two people that is not very close or well-defined, such as "Their relationship was very loose; they had only met once or twice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Mentorship, let's be clear, is a relatively loose relationship.

The New York Times

The club has also entered into a loose relationship with YankeeNets.

The New York Times - Sports

Brand has always been important in an industry where cost of ingredients bears only a loose relationship to retail price, but in conceptual cosmetics The Name is all.

The New York Times - Magazine

When Schwartz began writing "The Art of the Deal," he realized that he needed to put an acceptable face on Trump's loose relationship with the truth.

The New Yorker

The inflation rate during the first nine months of the election year, for instance, has had only a loose relationship to election outcomes.

The New York Times

In monetarism's heyday, central banks tried to steer the economy by controlling the money supply, which has a loose relationship with spending and inflation.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The erosion of Coasian transaction costs will make it ever easier for small companies or just collections of entrepreneurs to challenge the dominance of big companies; and ever more tempting for entrepreneurs to enter into loose relationships with other entrepreneurs rather than to form long-lasting corporations.

The Economist

In other words, close and loose relationships will coexist within the same organisation.In the traditional organisational structure, units were either within the organisation and, as Mercer Delta's David Nadler puts it, "densely connected", or they were outside the organisation and not connected at all.

The Economist

The regression equations for BOD5 and COD inflow/outflow concentrations yielded very loose relationships.

Science of The Total Environment

"LinkedIn is a group of people I met at a conference — very loose relationships," says Marini.

TechCrunch

Restate, in brand tribes, customers develop loose relationships freely by themselves without any formal subscription, called tribal behavior [25], which fits the spontaneity nature of bicycling VCEs.

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing relationships, clarify what makes them "loose" by specifying the degree of interaction, commitment, or formal structure that is lacking. For example, "Their collaboration was a loose relationship characterized by infrequent meetings and independent work."

Common error

Avoid using "loose relationship" without providing context. Specify the areas in which the relationship is loose, such as communication, obligations, or expectations. Failing to do so can lead to ambiguity and misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "loose relationship" functions as a noun phrase where "loose" modifies the noun "relationship". Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is grammatically correct and used to describe a connection or association that is not strong, binding, or well-defined. The phrase is typically used to characterize the quality of the association between two or more entities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

28%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "loose relationship" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term to describe connections that lack strong ties, formal commitments, or frequent interactions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it finds application across diverse contexts, primarily in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, be sure to provide context and clarity about the specific aspects of the relationship that are "loose", such as communication, obligations, or expectations. Alternatives like "casual relationship" or "tenuous connection" can offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slight connection

Highlights the minimal extent of the relationship.

casual association

Suggests a non-committal or infrequent interaction.

weak association

Highlights the lack of strong correlation or dependence.

tenuous connection

Emphasizes the fragility and insubstantial nature of the link.

tenuous bond

Focuses on the fragility and easily broken nature of the connection.

informal connection

Indicates a lack of strict rules or established procedures in the relationship.

superficial link

Underlines the lack of depth or meaningful interaction.

distant affiliation

Implies a separation or lack of close ties.

peripheral involvement

Suggests a tangential or non-central role in a particular context.

nominal association

Indicates a connection that exists in name only.

FAQs

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

You can use "loose relationship" to describe connections that are not close or well-defined. For example: "The company has a "loose relationship" with its suppliers, allowing for flexibility but lacking in consistent communication."

What are some alternatives to "loose relationship"?

Alternatives include "casual relationship", "informal connection", or "tenuous connection" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "loose relationship" and "close relationship"?

"Loose relationship" implies a lack of strong ties, frequent interaction, or formal commitment. In contrast, "close relationship" suggests strong bonds, regular communication, and mutual support.

Is it appropriate to use "loose relationship" in formal writing?

Yes, "loose relationship" can be used in formal writing, especially when analyzing organizational structures, scientific correlations, or political alliances. However, ensure that the meaning is clear and supported by specific details.