nervous relationship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nervous relationship" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a relationship characterized by anxiety, tension, or uncertainty between individuals. Example: "Their nervous relationship made it difficult for them to communicate openly and honestly with each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But Rattigan's Nijinsky is the first play where the nervous relationship between the writer and this material has been explicitly dramatised.

Independent

It is a story about the nervous relationship between government and technology and about science giving birth to a terrible new form of knowledge that has irrevocably shaped the dangerous world we now inhabit.

The New York Times - Books

There are too many chunky signposts, when it might have been more subtle to consider, say, Germany's nervous relationship to its national flag, or the fact that every Jewish property in Berlin is still under 24-hour police protection.

The Guardian - Books

No doubt part of the problem stems from Ms. Milford's nervous relationship with her primary source for this book, Norma Millay, the poet's sister, who controlled access to many of her papers and tried to deflect many of her biographer's queries.

The New York Times - Books

Dennis McFarland's novels -- from the luminous "Music Room" (1990) through the ineffectual "Face at the Window" (1997) -- have all been concerned with the nervous relationship between the present and the past and the protean role that memory plays in shaping individuals' sense of themselves.

The New York Times - Books

In an effort to underscore the nervous relationship between Art and Real Life -- a theme the author has frequently dealt with since the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini issued a death sentence against him in 1989 for his novel "The Satanic Verses" -- Mr. Rushdie clumsily devises an encounter between Solanka and a woman named Mila, who looks like Little Brain come to life.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Tom Herberg is open about his nervous, agitated relationship to "the world out there," the phenomenology of which nevertheless informs both his content and the language he uses to describe it.

Huffington Post

The pathophysiology of FD is highly diverse, and involves delayed gastric emptying, hypersensitivity to gastric distension, altered gastrointestinal motility and gastric electrical rhythms, and dysregulation of the autonomic nervous central nervous system relationship [ 4, 5].

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Replace the thought with a more positive one then witness how your nervous system, relationships and success patterns shift.

Huffington Post

Dolan shouted, "She's got a brain!" Machado also performed a test that measures the interplay between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, a relationship that regulates states of arousal and rest.

The New Yorker

She has written a book that captures the nervous, emotionally strangled relationship she shared with him for the better part of their lives, a book that explores the difficult algebra of familial love and the possibility of its renewal in the face of impending loss.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nervous relationship", consider the specific emotion driving the nervousness. Is it anxiety, fear, or uncertainty? Choose synonyms like "tense relationship" or "anxious relationship" if they better reflect the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "nervous relationship" as a catch-all phrase. If the relationship is characterized by hostility, "strained relationship" might be more accurate. If it's about a lack of trust, "insecure relationship" could be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nervous relationship" functions primarily as a noun phrase that describes a type of connection between entities (people, organizations, concepts) characterized by unease or anxiety. Ludwig examples confirm this usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

29%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nervous relationship" effectively describes a connection marked by anxiety, tension, or unease. While grammatically correct and used in varied sources like news and scientific publications, Ludwig suggests that more specific terms might sometimes be more appropriate. Alternatives include "tense relationship", "strained relationship", and "anxious relationship". These options provide a more precise characterization of the relationship's dynamics. Consider the underlying emotion when choosing the best phrase to accurately portray the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strained relationship

Emphasizes tension and difficulty in the relationship.

tense relationship

Highlights the presence of unease and stress.

anxious relationship

Focuses on the anxiety and worry involved.

uneasy relationship

Indicates a lack of comfort and security.

precarious relationship

Suggests the relationship is unstable and at risk.

fragile relationship

Highlights the delicate nature of the bond.

troubled relationship

Indicates the presence of problems and difficulties.

unsettled relationship

Focuses on the lack of stability and peace.

jittery relationship

Implies a state of nervousness and excitement mixed with anxiety.

insecure relationship

Highlights a lack of trust and confidence within the relationship.

FAQs

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

You can use "nervous relationship" to describe any connection between individuals or entities that's characterized by anxiety, tension, or unease. For example, "Their nervous relationship made open communication difficult."

What are some alternatives to "nervous relationship"?

Some alternatives include "tense relationship", "strained relationship", or "anxious relationship", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "nervous relationship" formal or informal?

"Nervous relationship" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more precise terms may be preferred in professional or academic writing.

What's the difference between "nervous relationship" and "difficult relationship"?

"Nervous relationship" specifically implies anxiety and unease, whereas "difficult relationship" /s/difficult+relationship is a broader term that can encompass various challenges, such as communication problems or conflicting values.