Relative to

USAGE SUMMARY

"relative to" is a correct phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is being compared or contrasted to something else. For example: "We need to adjust our strategy relative to the changing market conditions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Relative to my own means.

The Guardian

Relative to alcohol, they are already overtaxed.

The New York Times

Relative To Sales.

Forbes

"Relative to what?," Broiles asked.

BBC

Relative to entire portfolio.

TechCrunch

Relative to the Queen, Charles isn't exactly popular.

Vice

Relative to what?

eLife

Boost relative to what?

The New York Times

It is relative to desire.

The Economist

Look at household debt relative to income.

The New York Times

"But it is great relative to sentiment".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "relative to", ensure you clearly specify what you are comparing to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "Profits are high", specify "Profits are high relative to last year's earnings".

Common error

Avoid using "relative to" without a clear point of reference. Saying something is 'good relative to' without stating what it's good relative to makes the statement meaningless. Always specify the basis of your comparison.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relative to" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb phrase to indicate a point of comparison. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct. It is often used to provide context or perspective by showing how one thing relates to another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relative to" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to establish comparisons and provide context. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct in written English. It's frequently found in News & Media and Science publications, with a neutral to formal tone. To ensure clarity, specify the basis for comparison whenever you use "relative to". Alternatives include "in comparison with" and ""compared to"". Using the phrase correctly and specifying the compared element will result in more clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in comparison with

This alternative emphasizes a direct comparison between two or more things.

compared to

A more concise and common way to express a comparison.

in relation to

Indicates a connection or association, often implying a proportional or dependent relationship.

with respect to

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes consideration of a particular aspect.

proportionate to

This emphasizes that the relationship involves a direct proportion.

corresponding to

This indicates a matching or analogous relationship.

considering

This sets a specific condition for evaluation.

taking into account

This option suggests a more comprehensive evaluation by considering several factors.

vis-à-vis

A more formal and somewhat uncommon way to say "in relation to" or "compared with".

assessed against

This phrase highlights the evaluation process using a specific standard.

FAQs

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

Use "relative to" to compare one thing to another. For instance, "The cost of living here is high "compared to" the national average" or "His performance was excellent "in relation to" his previous efforts".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "relative to"?

You can use phrases such as "in comparison with", ""compared to"", or ""in relation to"" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "relative to" or "in relation to"?

Both "relative to" and "in relation to" are correct and often interchangeable. "Relative to" emphasizes comparison, while "in relation to" emphasizes connection or association. Choose the one that best fits the specific meaning you intend to convey. In general "compared to" is more frequently used in spoken language.

What does "relative to GDP" mean?

"Relative to GDP" means in proportion to a country's gross domestic product (GDP). It's often used to measure a country's debt, spending, or other economic indicators "assessed against" the size of its economy.