<p>A nematic liquid crystal composition comprising at least one member selected from 4-alkyl- or 4-alkoxy-benzoic acids represented by the following general formula (I), particularly a nematic liquid crystal composition comprising a carboxylic acid mixture composed of at least one member selected from 4-alkyl- or 4-alkoxy-benzoic acids represented by the following general formula (I) and at least one member selected from 4-alkylcyclohexanecarboxylic acids represented by the following general formula (IV): <CHEM> wherein R<5> stands for an alkyl or alkoxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms and R<8> stands for an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms.</p>
