In relative terms

USAGE SUMMARY

"in relative terms" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is used to compare one thing to another or to describe something relatively speaking compared to other similar things or contexts. For example, "In relative terms, the cost of living in this city is quite low compared to other major cities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In relative terms, Apple should be worth far more.

The New York Times

In relative terms, therefore, a 10% real terms cut is worse.

The Guardian

In relative terms, the old ways have already started to look expensive.

The Guardian

In relative terms, this is a creditable performance: not all business publishers generated profit margins this large last year.

The Guardian

In relative terms, the Jamaican problem is equally troubling.

BBC

In relative terms, their importance varies considerably within the region.

Comparative Migration Studies

In relative terms, our raid was pretty relaxed.

Vice

In relative terms, our raid was pretty chilled out.

Vice

In relative terms, the return to unskilled labor has fallen.

Huffington Post

In relative terms, that's a more impressive 81percentt difference.

Huffington Post

In relative terms of polling numbers, President Obama actually had a pretty good month last month.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in relative terms", ensure you have clearly established what you are comparing to. This provides context and avoids ambiguity for your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "in relative terms" without specifying the basis for comparison. Unclear comparisons can confuse your audience and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in relative terms" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a statement by indicating that it should be understood in comparison to something else. Ludwig examples showcase this usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in relative terms" functions as an adverbial phrase used to provide context by comparing a subject to other relevant factors. Ludwig AI confirms it as a grammatically correct phrase, commonly found in news, science, and formal business contexts. It encourages writers to be precise in their comparisons to avoid ambiguity, with alternatives like "comparatively speaking" or "relatively speaking" offering similar nuances. Ultimately, mastering the effective use of "in relative terms" enhances the clarity and depth of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Relatively speaking

Similar in meaning, but places more emphasis on the relativity of the statement.

Comparatively speaking

Emphasizes the act of comparing two or more things.

In comparison

Highlights a direct comparison between items.

By comparison with

Specifies what the subject is being compared to.

When compared to

Highlights the action of comparing and its result.

Considering the context

Focuses on the importance of the surrounding circumstances for understanding.

In proportion to

Indicates a relationship based on scale or ratio.

Against the backdrop of

Highlights how background conditions influence perception.

Considering the bigger picture

Shifts focus to broader implications and context.

From a specific vantage point

Highlights how perspective influences evaluation.

FAQs

How can I use "In relative terms" in a sentence?

You can use "in relative terms" to compare one thing to another, highlighting the proportional relationship between them. For example, "In relative terms, the cost of living here is lower than in New York City."

What's a good alternative to "In relative terms"?

Alternatives include phrases like "comparatively speaking", "in comparison", or "relatively speaking", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify the basis of comparison when using "In relative terms"?

While not always explicitly stated, it's best practice to provide context or indicate what you are comparing to, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity. The basis of comparison might be implied through the surrounding context, but a direct reference is always preferable.

How does "In relative terms" differ from "In absolute terms"?

"In absolute terms" refers to concrete, measurable values without reference to anything else, while "In relative terms" considers values in relation to other values, highlighting proportions or ratios. For example, one might say "In absolute terms, the city's population grew by 10,000," but "In relative terms, the growth rate was lower than the previous year."