I related to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I related to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a connection or understanding of someone else's feelings, experiences, or situations. Example: "When she shared her story about overcoming challenges, I related to her struggles and felt a deep sense of empathy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Another new band (i), related to Acanthamoeba sp. strain, was also detected in the 3 and 4 week-incubated samples.

AMB Express

How are the results of (i) related to student achievement in different countries and groups of countries?

Large-scale Assessments in Education

How are the results of (i) related to student achievement in different countries and groups of countries?  .

Large-scale Assessments in Education

I related to that".

The New Yorker

I related to their passion.

The Guardian

"I related to it," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

I related to the character's sense of dislocation.

The New York Times

"I related to them very strongly," he says.

The New York Times - Magazine

He's too isolated – and I related to that.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So he was someone I related to, and still do.

The Guardian - Music

"There were so many parts of it I related to," she said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I related to" when you want to express a personal connection to someone's experiences, feelings, or situation. Be specific about what you connected with to provide clarity and depth.

Common error

Avoid using "I related to" excessively in your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "I identified with", "I empathized with", or "I connected with" to maintain reader engagement and prevent monotony.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I related to" functions as a verb phrase expressing a personal connection, understanding, or empathy towards a subject. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. The subject, "I", indicates the speaker's personal experience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I related to" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to convey a personal connection, understanding, or empathy. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely accepted and used across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, this expression serves to build rapport and share personal experiences. When using "I related to", be mindful of overuse and consider alternatives such as "I identified with" or "I empathized with" to maintain reader engagement. The expression maintains a neutral register, fitting both informal and semi-formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I identified with

Emphasizes a sense of shared identity or experience.

I empathized with

Highlights the emotional connection and understanding of another's feelings.

I understood

Focuses on cognitive understanding of a situation or person.

I connected with

Suggests a personal bond or rapport.

I felt a kinship with

Implies a sense of shared origin or characteristics.

I saw myself in

Highlights a personal reflection or recognition of oneself in another.

I resonated with

Suggests a deep emotional or intellectual agreement.

It mirrored my own experience

Highlights the resemblance to a past personal event.

I found it relatable

Suggests an easy connection or understanding.

I had a similar experience

Shares a personal anecdote of comparable conditions.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I related to"?

You can use alternatives like "I identified with", "I empathized with", or "I understood" depending on the context.

How do I use "I related to" in a sentence?

Use "I related to" followed by what you connected with. For example, "I related to her struggles as a single parent" or "I related to the character's sense of isolation".

Is it correct to say "I can relate to" instead of "I related to"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "I can relate to" implies a general ability to understand or connect with something, while "I related to" implies a specific connection in the past.

What's the difference between "I related to" and "I can relate to"?

"I related to" expresses a past connection or understanding, while "I can relate to" expresses a present or future ability to connect or understand. For example, "I related to that movie because I've been through a similar experience" versus "I can relate to what you're going through right now".