a relatively powerful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a relatively powerful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when comparing the strength or influence of something in a moderate or comparative sense. Example: "The new engine design is a relatively powerful improvement over the previous model."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

This is through a relatively powerful piece of legislation, the Data Protection Act.

The Guardian

After all, an iPad is cheaper than a conventional desktop, and could bring a relatively powerful computer within reach of those who cannot afford a more traditional machine.

The Economist

The Alliance Party leader holds a relatively powerful position, as he or she appoints the party officers and the members of the strategy committees.

Encyclopedia Britannica

With a relatively powerful two-way link, the idea is to branch out into another service the grid needs, known as "spinning reserve".

The New York Times

Although the computations involved are not trivial (they take about ten hours on a relatively powerful cluster of four Linux workstations) the limiting factor is getting sufficiently-high-resolution digital scans of paintings from museums.

The Economist

They hit a different jihadist group, one that has in the past been hostile to IS.According to American officials, the 40 Tomahawk missiles that struck eight targets to the west of Aleppo on September 23rd were aimed at what it calls the "Khorasan group", a cell operating under the aegis of Jabhat al-Nusra (JAN), a relatively powerful Syrian rebel outfit that has declared allegiance to al-Qaeda.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Her campaign, eager to shift attention away from the potshots, is looking to emphasize Ms. Quinn's policy proposals and her stature as a productive and relatively powerful city official — a way to suggest that amid the squabbling, Ms. Quinn is the lone adult in the sandbox.

The New York Times

Perhaps this is part of why I was surprised to be the recipient of special attention from a string of (relatively) powerful men when, half a decade or so after Monica's heyday as the punch line of a joke, I became an intern.

The Guardian

The price is absolutely wonderful for what you're getting — at $429, it's a solid deal for a well-built, relatively powerful netbook-style computer.

TechCrunch

The Socata, which is considered relatively powerful for a single-engine aircraft, did not have a black box, but investigators were trying to recover its GPS device.

The New York Times

Unless an agreement can be found through early retirement schemes, employers are reluctant to fire these workers because of the threat of a labor dispute with the (relatively powerful) Belgian unions.5 In this context, the introduction of RESSC lowers the productivity-labor cost gap.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a relatively powerful", ensure the comparison is clear. What is it powerful compared to? Providing context strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a relatively powerful" when the subject's strength is actually quite high or low. Overusing relative qualifiers can weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a relatively powerful" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe its strength or influence in a comparative sense. Ludwig examples show it being used to describe computers, legislation, and positions of authority.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a relatively powerful" is an adjective phrase used to describe something possessing a notable but not extreme degree of strength or influence. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness. It is used in a variety of contexts, particularly in news and science. When employing this phrase, ensure the comparison is clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include phrases like "a reasonably potent" or "a comparatively strong", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a reasonably potent

Replaces 'powerful' with 'potent' and 'relatively' with 'reasonably', suggesting a similar degree of effectiveness.

a comparatively strong

Substitutes 'relatively' with 'comparatively' and 'powerful' with 'strong', emphasizing a comparison of strength.

a moderately influential

Uses 'moderately' instead of 'relatively' and 'influential' in place of 'powerful', focusing on the impact rather than raw strength.

a somewhat robust

Replaces 'relatively' with 'somewhat' and 'powerful' with 'robust', implying a degree of resilience and strength.

a fairly vigorous

Substitutes 'relatively' with 'fairly' and 'powerful' with 'vigorous', suggesting active strength or energy.

a notably forceful

Uses 'notably' instead of 'relatively' and 'forceful' in place of 'powerful', emphasizing the impact of force.

a markedly effective

Replaces 'relatively' with 'markedly' and 'powerful' with 'effective', focusing on the noticeable impact.

a considerably potent

Substitutes 'relatively' with 'considerably' and 'powerful' with 'potent', suggesting a significant degree of effectiveness.

a significantly strong

Uses 'significantly' instead of 'relatively' and 'strong' in place of 'powerful', emphasizing the importance of the strength.

a distinctly influential

Replaces 'relatively' with 'distinctly' and 'powerful' with 'influential', focusing on a clear and recognizable impact.

FAQs

How can I use "a relatively powerful" in a sentence?

You can use "a relatively powerful" to describe something that possesses a notable, but not extreme, degree of strength or influence. For example, "The new engine is "a relatively powerful" improvement over the old one."

What's a good substitute for "a relatively powerful"?

Alternatives to "a relatively powerful" include phrases like "a reasonably potent", "a comparatively strong", or "a moderately influential", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "a relatively powerful"?

While grammatically correct, using "a relatively powerful" might be misleading if the subject is, in fact, exceptionally strong or weak. Choose more precise language to avoid ambiguity.

What does "relatively" mean in the phrase "a relatively powerful"?

In "a relatively powerful", "relatively" indicates that the strength or power being described is being considered in comparison to something else. It suggests a moderate degree of power, not necessarily the highest possible level.