nominally linked

USAGE SUMMARY

"nominally linked" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a situation where two entities are connected in name or title but not necessarily in substance or function. For example: "The two organizations are nominally linked through a partnership agreement." Alternative expressions include "theoretically connected" and "formally associated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

As part of Canongate's series of short novels based on myths, "The Fire Gospel" is nominally linked to the story of Prometheus.

The New York Times - Books

Pokémon, one of the greatest video game franchises, has delved into the murky waters of free-to-play with Pokémon Shuffle, a game that only seems nominally linked to the seminal reds, blues, golds etc.

Independent

Sometimes the song to which a chapter is nominally linked barely seems to rate a passing mention, or only comes into the discussion many pages later; the chapter ostensibly about "I've Got a Crush on You" devotes the majority of its space to various aspects of Gershwin's most popular orchestral piece, "Rhapsody in Blue".

The New York Times - Books

While groups like MoveOn.org have garnered most of the publicity, groups that are at least nominally linked to the major political parties, such as the Democratic Governors Association and the Republican Governors Association, have raised more money.

Forbes

None of these studies have nominally linked services users with their regular source of care [ 55- 57].

BMC Family Practice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The death of a child nominally links the two plots.

The Guardian - Music

They want to distract people from what they have done, so they turn the focus on to what their opponents said, or what someone who can nominally be linked to their opponents said.

Huffington Post

1937 - Kuomintang and Communists nominally unite against Japanese.

BBC

Even in the case of rigid bodies, it can be difficult to maintain precise control over nominally stationary links if it is required to move some of the other links quickly because of the various nonlinearities and coupled interactions that occur between the bodies.

Acta Astronautica

Figure 13 suggests that West Africa has become the most open to African migration on average, which seems to be linked to – at least nominally – free travel and migration between ECOWAS countries.

Comparative Migration Studies

The first study showed nominally significant associations between two tightly linked SNPs (rs6666089 and an intronic –1927 SNP) in ADIPOR1 and decreased insulin sensitivity and increased HbA1c levels [ 24].

Diabetologia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "nominally linked" to precisely convey that a connection exists in name or form but may not be substantive or practically significant. This adds a layer of nuance to your writing, preventing misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "nominally linked" when a strong or significant relationship actually exists. Overusing it diminishes the real impact and suggests a weaker connection than intended.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nominally linked" functions as an adverbial modifier describing the type or degree of connection. According to Ludwig, it specifies that the relationship is one of name only. This is seen in the examples where projects or entities are connected in title but not necessarily in practice.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "nominally linked" serves to describe a relationship or connection that exists primarily in name or form but lacks substantial depth or practical significance. It is most frequently used in News & Media and Scientific contexts, as demonstrated by Ludwig, where it helps to qualify the nature of relationships to avoid overstating their importance. While grammatically correct and understandable, its usage is relatively rare. Therefore, it is essential to use it precisely to convey the intended nuance of a superficial connection.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nominally associated

A direct synonym, emphasizing the connection exists in name only.

formally connected

Emphasizes the official or documented nature of the connection.

ostensibly related

Highlights that the relationship is apparent but perhaps not genuinely so.

technically associated

Focuses on the technical or formal aspect of the association, possibly lacking practical effect.

seemingly related

Focuses on the appearance of a relationship, without confirming its reality.

superficially tied

Stresses the lack of depth or importance in the connection.

theoretically connected

Suggests the connection exists in theory but might not be evident in practice.

purportedly connected

Suggests the connection is stated but potentially doubtful.

conventionally associated

Highlights the association as a matter of custom or established practice.

allegedly linked

Implies the link is claimed but might not be proven or factual.

FAQs

How can I use "nominally linked" in a sentence?

You can use "nominally linked" to describe a connection that exists in name or title, but not necessarily in substance or function. For example: "The two organizations are "nominally linked" through a partnership agreement."

What's the difference between "nominally linked" and "closely related"?

"Nominally linked" implies a connection in name only, which may not translate to practical or significant ties. "Closely related", on the other hand, suggests a strong and substantive relationship.

Which is correct, "nominally linked" or "nominally associated"?

Both phrases are correct and convey a similar meaning. "Nominally linked" emphasizes a connection, while "nominally associated" highlights a relationship or affiliation.

What are some alternatives to "nominally linked"?

You can use alternatives like "formally connected", "ostensibly related", or "superficially tied" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.