A nematic liquid crystal composition capable of improving reduction in the threshold voltage of TN type liquid crystal display elements and the temperature dependency thereof, and a liquid crystal display element using the composition are provided, which composition comprising 10 to 80% by weight of a first component comprising at least one compound expressed by the formula ##STR1## wherein m represents 0 or 1, R.sup.1 represents F or H and R.sup.2 represents an alkyl group of 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and 10 to 40% by weight of a second component comprising at least one compound expressed by the formula ##STR2## wherein l represents 1 or 2 and R.sup.2 is as defined above.