a relation of mine

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a relation of mine" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to any family connection, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle, or cousin. For example, "I recently visited a relation of mine in California."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I asked a relation of mine, an avid fisherman who happens to have a Ph.D. in fish pathology and who has lived in the South, if he had ever noodled.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I was told I was of no blood relation but that may have been by my grandmother, who actually was not a blood relation of mine... America is very strange.

The New Yorker

"He's not bombastic, that's for sure," says Parke Skelton (no relation of mine), who is Chiang's campaign consultant.

Los Angeles Times

Commercial relations with China, supposedly an ally, are abysmal, with Chinese mining and trading companies complaining of broken contracts and outright theft by their North Korean state partners.

The Economist

Pilar was a relation of theirs.

The New Yorker

Further, the relation of mining waste to blood lead concentrations (BPbs) of rural children is controversial.

Environmental Health Perspectives

I calmed down, because it's only the stepparents — they are not blood relations of mine".

The New Yorker

And I've met people, actual people, who darn socks – though they're no relations of mine, the scruffy bastards!

Vice

Moreover, the provincial government generally will not establish any direct relations with owners of privately run coal mines and so provincial officials are less affected when handling their resistance.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

I became more aware of the impact this bypass has upon others when a client of mine, Patrick, a human relations consultant, wanted to discuss the challenge regarding supporting his friend Mac.

Huffington Post

However, the research which considered the contents of proceedings left behind the minutes of the company, and the relation of corporate profit with text mining is not enough so far.

Procedia Computer Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a relation of mine", ensure the context clearly indicates a familial connection to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify the type of relation (e.g., "a cousin of mine").

Common error

While grammatically correct, "a relation of mine" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "a relative of mine" or "someone in my family" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a relation of mine" functions as a noun phrase, specifically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies a person connected to the speaker through family ties, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

17%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Wiki

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a relation of mine" is a grammatically correct way to refer to a family member. Although Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's worth noting its relatively low frequency and potential for sounding somewhat formal. When deciding whether to use this phrase, consider your audience and the overall tone you wish to convey. Alternatives such as "a relative of mine" or "someone in my family" might be more suitable for casual conversation. While this phrase is understood across various contexts, it appears most frequently in news and media, encyclopedias and science, suggesting its use is accepted in professionally written contents.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a relative of mine

This alternative directly replaces "relation" with "relative", maintaining the same meaning of a family member.

a family member of mine

This option uses more explicit language to emphasize the familial connection.

one of my relatives

This emphasizes that the person is one among several relatives.

someone I'm related to

This uses a more conversational and direct way of expressing the relationship.

someone in my family

This phrase broadens the scope to include anyone within the speaker's family.

a kinsman of mine

This alternative offers a more formal or archaic way of saying "a relation of mine".

a member of my family

Similar to "someone in my family", but with a slightly more formal tone.

a distant relative of mine

Specifies that the relation is not closely related.

a connection of mine

While not exclusively familial, this can imply a family connection depending on context.

an acquaintance of mine

This term indicates a casual or distant relationship, possibly familial depending on context.

FAQs

What does "a relation of mine" mean?

The phrase "a relation of mine" refers to a person who is related to you by blood or marriage; it's another way of saying "a relative of mine".

Is "a relation of mine" formal or informal?

While grammatically sound, "a relation of mine" leans towards the formal side. In casual conversation, you might prefer saying "a relative of mine" or "someone in my family".

How can I use "a relation of mine" in a sentence?

You can use it similarly to "a relative of mine". For example, "I recently visited a relation of mine who lives in California."

What's the difference between "a relation of mine" and "an acquaintance of mine"?

"A relation of mine" implies a familial connection, while "an acquaintance of mine" suggests a casual or less intimate association.