a second cousin of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a second cousin of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a familial relationship, specifically indicating that someone is the child of your parent's first cousin. Example: "She is a second cousin of mine, and we often meet at family reunions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Jo Elizabeth Stafford was born in Coalinga, California, in 1917, to Grover Cleveland Stafford and Anna Stafford (née York)a second cousin of World War I hero Sergeant Alvin York.

Wikipedia

F. Roosevelt, a second cousin of Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt.

The New Yorker

He finished ahead of Fabian Coulthard, a second cousin of the former F1 driver David Coulthard.

The New York Times

He is a second cousin of the longtime Washington columnist Mary McGrory, who died in 2004.

The New York Times

Almost unbelievably a second cousin of our own Queen, she is utterly unstuffy.

The Guardian - Travel

Dr Wolf, a second cousin of Barack Obama, ran a cleaner campaign and did better than expected.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

It was a first cousin of Edward Develin's named Catherine Devlin Nordt.

The New Yorker

Ms. McGlothin was a first cousin of the boys' grandmother.

The New York Times

"His mother was a third cousin of my grandfather," he said.

The New York Times

(Franklin was only a fifth cousin of Teddy, but the name was powerful).

The New Yorker

The Obama administration does worry publicly about manufacturing, a first cousin of craftsmanship.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always verify the family connection when describing someone as “a second cousin of”. Ensure the relationship is accurate to maintain credibility and avoid spreading misinformation, especially in formal writing or journalistic contexts.

Common error

Avoid confusing the terms 'second cousin' and 'first cousin once removed'. A second cousin shares a great-grandparent, while a first cousin once removed is the child of your first cousin or a parent's first cousin. Using the wrong term can misrepresent the family relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a second cousin of" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, specifying a particular familial relationship between two people. It indicates that two individuals share a great-grandparent.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Wiki

13%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a second cousin of" accurately designates a specific familial relationship. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media, as well as in encyclopedic contexts. While alternatives exist, "a second cousin of" provides the most precise and commonly understood description of this connection. When using the phrase, ensure accuracy in describing family relationships and differentiate it from similar terms like 'first cousin once removed'. Be precise to make your writting credible!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a second degree cousin of

A more formal way to state the relationship.

a more distant cousin of

Highlights that the degree of cousinhood is further removed.

related to

A simple and direct way to indicate a family connection.

distant relative of

Emphasizes the remoteness of the familial connection.

relative of

A more general term indicating a familial connection, without specifying the degree of relationship.

kin of

A formal and somewhat archaic term for relatives.

from the same family as

Highlights the shared family lineage.

descendant of

Focuses on the ancestral connection.

part of the same lineage as

Emphasizes the shared lineage or ancestry.

a member of the same family as

Stresses the shared membership within a family unit.

FAQs

What does "a second cousin of" mean?

A "second cousin of" is someone who shares a great-grandparent with you. Your parent's first cousin's child is your second cousin.

How do I use "a second cousin of" in a sentence?

You can use "a second cousin of" to describe a familial relationship. For example: "She is "a second cousin of" mine, and we often meet at family reunions."

What's the difference between a first cousin and "a second cousin of"?

First cousins share grandparents, while second cousins share great-grandparents. The degree of relatedness is more distant with second cousins.

Are there alternative phrases to "a second cousin of"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "distant relative of" or "a relative of the second degree", although "a second cousin of" is the most precise term.