a relevant parallel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a relevant parallel" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when drawing a comparison between two situations, ideas, or events that share similarities and are pertinent to the discussion at hand. Example: "In discussing the impact of climate change on agriculture, we can draw a relevant parallel to the effects of industrialization on rural communities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is worth noting that what we have described here as publish-subscribe has a relevant parallel in the area of modern software construction (indeed, that is where we derived the name) [17], [18].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Liberians, by contrast, are possibly the most pro-American people on the planet, and are begging the Americans to come and restore calm to their shattered nation.Less important than Iraq, but easierA more relevant parallel would be Sierra Leone in 2000, when a few hundred British soldiers stopped a civil war that had killed 200,000 people.

The Economist

But the most relevant parallel is one that European leaders refuse to see.

The New York Times

It has become common for Western commentators to compare Putin's march into Crimea with the 2008 war between Russia and Georgia — but the more relevant parallel may be the conflicts in the region during the nineteen-nineties, when Moscow fuelled separatist wars in the disputed areas of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, in Georgia, and in Moldova's Transnistria.

The New Yorker

However, note that the notion of "co-authorship" would have no relevant parallel in the art domain.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

An ethicist of belief who holds that significant truth acquired in the right way is the aim of belief, and analyzes the "rightness" of a belief-forming practice in terms of its ability to lead to truth, may find that the relevant parallel is to rule-consequentialism instead.

SEP

Table 10 Inferences, warrants, assumptions, and backing in the validity argument for the Criterion® Inference Warrant that justifies the inference Assumption underlying the warrant Backing for the assumption Generalization Observed Criterion® scores are estimates of expected scores over the relevant parallel prompts.

Language Testing in Asia

She said her experience as a volunteer on Saddam Hussein's defense team offered relevant parallels.

The New York Times

"Pro-golf has skins matches where Stanfordesque sums are awarded or witheld on the basis of one putt - nobody seems to suffer breakdowns, even if it's a bit sordid," points out Gary Naylor, always on the lookout for relevant parallels.

The Guardian

The second part briefly introduces the selected migration legal cases and begins to track the relevant parallels between the two distinct jurisdictions with which we are concerned.

Comparative Migration Studies

Importantly, under the assumption that the Kazakhstani elite's policies toward and perceptions of the EU as well as vice versa are part of their broader and coherent understandings of their country's place in the world, this study widely resorts to relevant parallels for building and substantiating its arguments.

Asian Journal of German and European Studies

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a relevant parallel" when you want to draw attention to a comparison that directly helps to understand or explain a situation. Ensure the comparison is genuinely pertinent to the context.

Common error

Avoid using "a relevant parallel" if the comparison is tenuous or doesn't substantially contribute to the understanding of the topic. A weak parallel can confuse rather than clarify.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a relevant parallel" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a comparison intended to clarify or illuminate a topic. It suggests a connection between two distinct things or situations. As Ludwig AI highlights, this comparison should be pertinent and useful for understanding.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a relevant parallel" is a noun phrase used to introduce a comparison that provides insight and clarification on a particular topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and best used when the comparison is genuinely pertinent and enhances understanding. While found across various contexts, including science, news and media, and formal business settings, it's crucial to avoid using it for weak or tenuous comparisons that may confuse rather than clarify. Alternatives like "a pertinent analogy" or "a fitting comparison" can be considered to adjust the nuance of the comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a pertinent analogy

Replaces 'relevant' with 'pertinent', emphasizing the direct connection to the matter at hand.

an applicable comparison

Replaces 'relevant' with 'applicable', emphasizing the direct usability of the comparison.

a significant analogy

Replaces 'relevant' with 'significant' to emphasize the importance of the analogy.

a fitting comparison

Substitutes 'relevant' and 'parallel' with 'fitting comparison', indicating the comparison is appropriate.

a noteworthy comparison

Substitutes 'relevant' with 'noteworthy', highlighting the value of the comparison.

a parallel of consequence

Emphasizes the importance or impact of the parallel.

a corresponding similarity

Emphasizes the likeness between two things, swapping 'parallel' for 'similarity'.

a meaningful resemblance

Highlights the meaningfulness of the resemblance rather than a direct parallel.

a comparable situation

Focuses on the similarity of situations rather than a direct parallel.

a related instance

Highlights the connection between instances, making it less about direct equivalence.

FAQs

How can I use "a relevant parallel" in a sentence?

You can use "a relevant parallel" to introduce a comparison that illuminates a particular point. For example, "In discussing the economic downturn, we can draw "a relevant parallel" to the 2008 financial crisis".

What are some alternatives to "a relevant parallel"?

Alternatives include "a pertinent analogy", "a fitting comparison", or "a significant analogy", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a relevant parallel" in writing?

It's best to use "a relevant parallel" when you have a comparison that directly sheds light on the subject matter, offering insight or clarification that wouldn't be immediately apparent otherwise. The goal is to enhance understanding, not just to mention a similarity.

What makes a parallel 'relevant'?

A parallel is considered 'relevant' when it shares key characteristics or underlying principles with the subject at hand, making the comparison meaningful and informative. A "relevant parallel" isn't just superficially similar; it provides deeper understanding.