Additional Vocabulary Relationship

1. The relationship between two people or groups:

relationship [n C]- the way that two people or groups feel about each other and

behave towards each other.

relationship+ with: His relationship with his parents had never been very good.

relationship+ between: the relationship between doctor and patient.

a close relationship (= when you know someone very well and like them a lot):

They’d known each other for years and had a very close relationship.

relations [plural] - the public relationship between groups, organizations, or

countries, especially when this affects how well they work together.

relations+between: Relations between management and workers have

improved.

relations+ with: Will this dispute damage our relations with the United States?

race relations (= between people of different races)

diplomatic relations (between the governments of two countries): New Zealand

broke diplomatic relations with France because of nuclear tests.

industrial relations (Brit.) = labor relations (Am.) - between workers and

managers.

Note: Use relationship especially to talk about the personal relationship

between two people. Use relations especially to talk about the public, working

relationship between large groups, countries etc.

2. When you have a good relationship:

have a good relationship- when two people or groups are friendly towards each other and work well together: My boss and I have a very good relationship. have a good relashionship + with: It’s important that the school has a good relationship with the students’ parents.

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get along (also get on Brit.) [phrasal verb]- if people get along or get on, they

have a friendly relationship with each other: We all get on really well, so we’re

going to share a flat next year.

get along+ with: He is very easy to get along with.

Note: Get along and get on are more informal than have a good relationship.

be on good terms - if people are on good terms, they have a polite relationship

and they can work well together, but they are not close friends: The members of

the band were on good terms, but they never spent much time together socially.

be on good terms + with: We’re on good terms with all our neighbours.

close [adj]- if two or more people are close, they like each other very much, and

can talk to each other about their feelings, their problems etc: Dad and I have

always been very close.

close + to: She was never very close to her mother.

3. When you have a bad relationship:

not get along (also not get on- Brit.)- if people do not get along or do not get on,

they have a bad relationship and they often argue and disagree with each other:

Barney and I just don’t get along.

not get on + with: He’s not getting on very well with his new boss.

fall out [phrasal verb I] Brit.- if friends or relatives fall out, they have an

argument and stop being friendly with each other: They fell out last year, and

they won’t even speak to each other now.

fall out + with: He’s fallen out with his girlfriend again.