What Does "relatively" Mean?
- What it expresses: The adverb relatively is used to express degree or extent. It functions as a comparative marker, indicating that a quality or quantity is being measured in relation to something else rather than in an absolute sense.
- What part of the sentence it typically modifies: It primarily modifies adjectives (e.g., relatively small) and other adverbs (e.g., relatively quickly). Occasionally, it can modify a whole clause to set a comparative context.
- Register: Neutral to formal. It is highly prevalent in journalism, academic writing, and professional reports because it adds nuance and precision to descriptions.
How to Use It
- Typical sentence positions: Its most natural and common position is mid-position, specifically placed immediately before the adjective or adverb it modifies. While it can occasionally appear in the initial position to frame a sentence, it almost never appears in the final position.
- What it modifies and how it changes the meaning: When you use relatively, you are telling the reader: "This might seem like a lot/little in isolation, but compared to the usual standard or a specific benchmark, it is [adjective]."
- Grammatical flexibility: It can be used with negation (e.g., not relatively common is rare, but relatively uncommon is frequent). It is also frequently used in questions to ask about the degree of a quality. It can be placed in parentheses to add a slight qualification to a statement.
- What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using relatively without a following adjective or adverb is a common error. For example, saying "The price was relatively" is grammatically incomplete.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from relatively on Ludwig.guru.
"Amid criticisms that £10m to £20m was relatively small figure on which to make such a major policy announcement – the NHS budget is more than £100bn a year – the health secretary disputed the No 10 claim." — theguardian.com
"Flights extra While the situation in East Timor is relatively calm compared with recent periods of political strife, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office still advises against "all but essential travel" to the region." — theguardian.com
"At 48, Balls is still relatively young and now has to decide what to do with the rest of his career." — theguardian.com
"So, here were two snapshots about sexual assault: one showing that, while false rape accusations are relatively rare, rape denial still remains rife, even among some police – the very people who hold the key to any kind of justice." — theguardian.com
"The turquoise waters of Langebaan lagoon are clear, shallow, breezy and (relatively) warm, making this an ideal place to learn or to test your skills to the limit." — theguardian.com
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/relatively
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| comparatively |
Very similar in meaning; often used interchangeably in formal contexts. |
| somewhat |
More neutral; suggests a moderate degree without necessarily implying a comparison. |
| fairly |
More common in spoken English; indicates a moderate but not extreme degree. |
| to a degree |
Used to show that something is true only up to a certain point. |
| proportionally |
Specific to mathematical or size-based comparisons. |
Common Mistakes
- Standalone usage: Learners often use it as a standalone adjective or fail to follow it with the adjective it is meant to modify. You cannot say "The success was relatively"; you must say "The success was relatively significant."
- Redundancy: Avoid using it with absolute adjectives. Phrases like "relatively unique" are logically inconsistent because "unique" describes something one-of-a-kind that cannot be compared by degree.
- Wrong position: Placing it after the adjective (e.g., "The task was easy relatively") is incorrect and disrupts the flow of the sentence.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Function |
Register |
Typical Position |
| relatively |
Expresses comparative degree |
Neutral / Formal |
Mid-position (before adjectives) |
FAQs
Where in a sentence should relatively appear?
The adverb relatively most naturally appears in the mid-position, specifically placed directly before the adjective or adverb it modifies. While it can occasionally be used to start a sentence for emphasis, it should never be placed at the end of a clause.
How does relatively differ from the adverb comparatively?
While both terms are often interchangeable, relatively is more common in general usage to describe a quality in relation to a standard. Comparatively is often preferred in academic writing when a specific, direct comparison between two distinct subjects has already been established in the text.
Can I use relatively as a standalone word to describe something?
No, a common mistake is using relatively as a standalone adjective. Because it is an adverb of degree, it must always be followed by the adjective or adverb it is intended to modify to complete the meaning of the sentence.