reciprocal love

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reciprocal love" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a mutual or shared affection between two individuals. Example: "Their relationship was built on a foundation of reciprocal love, where both partners valued and respected each other's feelings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

And it could be that the young man has confessed a reciprocal love.

The Guardian - Books

Even Bellini – while stressing that this had never been a reciprocal love affair – confessed to being upset by Higuaín's departure.

The Guardian - Sport

To give the impression that these undercover relationships were based on reciprocal love is to misunderstand the power dynamics and sexual politics that underpinned these relationships.

The Guardian

Charity, in Christian thought, the highest form of love, signifying the reciprocal love between God and man that is made manifest in unselfish love of one's fellow men.

Britannica

Agape, Greek agapē, in the New Testament, the fatherly love of God for humans, as well as the human reciprocal love for God.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Another member of your household may be put into the untenable position of live-in critic, and watch out: he may be planning to show you something he's written, counting on reciprocal love.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The novelist George Eliot is included; her extramarital but deeply committed relationship with George Henry Lewes is given as an illustration of the redemptive, creative power of reciprocal, selfless love.

The New Yorker

Thomas Aquinas declared charity the root of all virtue, the Latin caritas being the translation of the Greek word agape, which signified the reciprocal spiritual love between God and man.

The New Yorker

Ms. Waithe replied with reciprocal support: "Love you sis!

Huffington Post

Just as our relationship with God is a delicate dance of reciprocal, covenantal love, so too is any relationship between members of the church and with the church.

HuffPost

Theodore Van de Velde's popular 1926 advice book, "Ideal Marriage," decreed that married women should experience "a fully equal and reciprocal share in love making".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reciprocal love" to emphasize a balanced and mutual exchange of affection in relationships, highlighting that love is both given and received.

Common error

Avoid using "reciprocal love" when describing situations where affection is not mutual or balanced, such as unrequited love or relationships with significant power imbalances. Choose terms that accurately reflect the dynamic, such as "unrequited affection" or "one-sided admiration."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reciprocal love" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a type of love that is mutual and returned, functioning as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig provides examples of its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reciprocal love" is a noun phrase that signifies a balanced and mutual exchange of affection, as supported by various examples found through Ludwig. Grammatically correct and commonly used, it describes love that is both given and received. While applicable in various contexts, the phrase tends to appear more in news, encyclopedias, and academic discussions. It's essential to use "reciprocal love" accurately, especially avoiding its application in situations where affection is one-sided or imbalanced. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase. Therefore, understanding the nuances of "reciprocal love" ensures clear and appropriate communication in diverse settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mutual affection

Focuses on the shared feeling of fondness rather than explicitly love.

shared love

Highlights the common experience of love between individuals.

returned love

Emphasizes the act of love being given back.

two-way love

Simplifies the concept to a directional exchange of love.

love in return

Highlights the expectation of love being reciprocated.

give-and-take of love

Implies an exchange dynamic in the expression of love.

loving reciprocity

Switches the emphasis to the reciprocal aspect of loving.

balanced love

Suggests an equilibrium in the amount of love given and received.

interactive love

Focuses on the dynamic and responsive nature of love.

correspondent love

A slightly less common way to express mutual or shared affection.

FAQs

How do I use "reciprocal love" in a sentence?

You can use "reciprocal love" to describe a relationship where affection is mutual and balanced. For example, "Their marriage thrived on "mutual love" and respect."

What's the difference between "reciprocal love" and "unrequited love"?

"Reciprocal love" refers to a situation where love is returned, while "unrequited love" describes a situation where love is not reciprocated.

What can I say instead of "reciprocal love"?

You can use alternatives like "mutual affection", "shared love", or "returned love" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "mutual reciprocal love"?

Yes, saying "mutual reciprocal love" is redundant. The terms "mutual" and "reciprocal" both convey the idea of a shared or returned feeling, so using them together is unnecessary. Just use "reciprocal love" or "mutual love".