troubled partnership

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "troubled partnership" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a partnership that is experiencing difficulties or conflicts. Example: "The company has been struggling due to a troubled partnership with its main supplier, leading to delays in production."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Teledesic, the troubled partnership controlled by Craig O. McCaw, which is aiming to start a network of satellites to deliver high-speed Internet and data services worldwide, has mapped out a new, smaller, future.

The New York Times

From the start the contract did little to resolve tensions in a troubled partnership.

The New York Times

And if that troubled partnership should dissolve, a shared e-mail address means yet another headache.

The New York Times - Tech

Lyondell's announcement ends its troubled partnership with Citgo, the United States refining subsidiary of Venezuela's national oil company, Petróleos de Venezuela.

The New York Times

The troubled partnership hit an all-time low at the weekend following criticism of delays by Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke, with the Brazilian government responding by saying they no longer wanted to deal with him.

Independent

Mr. Bloomberg credited Mr. Sheekey with shepherding issues like mayoral control of schools, extricating the city from a troubled partnership with Off-Track Betting and successfully winning billions of budget dollars more from Albany.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Mr. Muhly's work originated as part of the company's troubled commissioning partnership with Lincoln Center Theater, begun in 2006.

The New York Times - Arts

After years without a peep, in 2012, the brand launched a campaign based on their troubled domestic partnership.

Huffington Post

As he testified, a top government investigator was scheduled to release a report warning that the Treasury Department's most ambitious plans to rescue troubled banks — partnerships between the government and private investors, backed by the Federal Reserve — are inherently vulnerable to fraud and should not be started without stronger safeguards.

The New York Times

WASHINGTON — The Treasury Department's most ambitious plans to rescue troubled banks — partnerships between the government and private investors, backed by the Federal Reserve — are inherently vulnerable to fraud and should not be started without stronger safeguards, a top government investigator warned in a report to be released Tuesday.

The New York Times

But Fullard has been troubled by their partnership.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "troubled partnership", clearly state the specific issues or challenges the partnership is facing to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "troubled partnership" without specifying the nature of the problems. Readers need to understand why the partnership is considered troubled.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "troubled partnership" functions as a noun phrase, where 'troubled' acts as an adjective modifying the noun 'partnership'. It describes a specific kind of partnership, one experiencing difficulties. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which show the phrase used in various contexts to denote problematic collaborations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "troubled partnership" effectively describes a collaborative relationship facing significant difficulties. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English, predominantly found in news and media contexts. While not overly common, it's a useful term when you need to convey that a partnership is experiencing specific problems. To use this phrase effectively, provide context about the nature of the troubles. Alternatives such as "strained alliance" or "difficult collaboration" may also be appropriate depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

challenging partnership

Replaces "troubled" with a direct synonym, maintaining the core meaning.

problematic collaboration

Highlights the presence of problems and issues within the collaboration.

strained alliance

Focuses on the tension and weakened state of the alliance.

dysfunctional alliance

Indicates that the alliance is not operating correctly or effectively.

difficult collaboration

Emphasizes the challenging nature of working together.

unstable coalition

Focuses on the lack of stability and potential for collapse.

fractured relationship

Highlights the broken or damaged aspect of the relationship.

discordant partnership

Emphasizes the lack of harmony and agreement within the partnership.

contentious union

Stresses the presence of arguments and disagreements.

rocky association

Implies instability and potential for disruption.

FAQs

What does "troubled partnership" mean?

A "troubled partnership" refers to a relationship or collaboration experiencing significant difficulties, conflicts, or challenges that negatively impact its stability and success.

What are some synonyms for "troubled partnership"?

You can use alternatives like "strained alliance", "difficult collaboration", or "fractured relationship" to convey a similar meaning.

How can I use "troubled partnership" in a sentence?

Example: "The company's financial struggles are largely due to a "troubled partnership" with its main supplier."

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "troubled partnership"?

Use "troubled partnership" when you want to describe a collaborative relationship that is facing serious problems or is on the verge of failure. Be sure to provide context to explain the specific issues.