To obtain the subject composition having a small viscosity, capable of giving refractive index anisotropy respondent to objects and capable of lowering driving electric voltages Vth by including a specific carboxylic acid compound.

This nematic liquid crystal composition contains a carboxylic acid compound of formula I [(n) is 0-4] (for example, a compound of formula II) preferably in an amount of 1-80 wt.%. The composition may contain an alkyl or alkoxybenzoic acid of the formula: R'-A-COOH (R' is an alkyl or the like; A is phenyl or the like) or an alkoxycyclohexanecarboxylic acid. The composition is useful for liquid crystal display elements, and liquid crystal devices loading the above nematic liquid crystal composition include display devices having excellent characteristics such as excellent sharpness as TN type or STN type display devices.