be in a relationship

Meaning

To be romantically involved with someone, usually in a committed, long-term way. It indicates that two people are dating each other exclusively rather than seeing other people.

Examples

• Are you currently single, or are you in a relationship?

  Are you currently single, or are you in a relationship?

• They have been in a relationship for over five years now.

  They have been in a relationship for over five years now.

• It can be hard to be in a relationship when you live in different cities.

  It can be hard to be in a relationship when you live in different cities.

• She is not ready to be in a relationship right now because of her busy job.

  She is not ready to be in a relationship right now because of her busy job.

• Being in a relationship requires a lot of trust and open communication.

  Being in a relationship requires a lot of trust and open communication.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They are in relationship since last year.

  ✓ They have been in a relationship since last year.

  You must use the indefinite article 'a' ('in a relationship'). Also, use the present perfect ('have been') to talk about a state that started in the past and continues now.

• ✗ I am in a relationship with a very long time.

  ✓ I have been in a relationship for a very long time.

  Use 'for' to show the duration of time, and use the present perfect tense 'have been' to describe an ongoing state.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I am happy to ___ with my best friend.

  💡 have a committed romantic partnership

  Show answer

  be in a relationship

• They decided to ___ after dating casually for six months.

  💡 commit to a partnership

  Show answer

  be in a relationship