and relatively so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "and relatively so" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is true to a certain degree or in comparison to something else. Example: "The results were promising, and relatively so, considering the limited sample size."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The shows load very quickly over WiFi (and relatively so via 3G) and the image/sound quality seems comparable (er, close enough) to a locally stored copy.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

By Samantha Henig July 11 ,2011 The final issue of News of the World, which you could have seen online today if you were fast enough (Rick was), was civil and laudatory, or relatively so.

The New Yorker

The final issue of News of the World, which you could have seen online today if you were fast enough (Rick was), was civil and laudatory, or relatively so.

The New Yorker

And, relatively speaking, so is attendance.

The New York Times - Sports

Most of its followers are urban and relatively poor, so they have probably come partly from Labour and partly from Fianna Fail.

The Economist

The protests have been peaceful and relatively unassertive so far, with the crowd in Yangon — Myanmar's biggest city — topping out at about 300 on Friday night.

The New York Times

Norway is rich -- its per-capita gross domestic product is among the highest in the world -- and relatively untroubled, so it has money and time to lavish on faraway missions with uncertain deadlines.

The New York Times

In the current situation, the Bush administration argues that a war against Iraq is bound to be short and relatively inexpensive, so there is no risk in cutting taxes.

The New York Times

These two species are small and relatively scarce, so boats must pull a fine net for long distances.

Science Magazine

It'll apparently be easily extensible and relatively powerful, so it ought to be interesting to see what happens there.

TechCrunch

Domain-general influences are important for general mathematical achievement and relatively more so than prior mathematical achievement for the younger children.

Acquisition of Complex Arithmetic Skills and Higher-Order Mathematics Concepts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "and relatively so" to introduce a nuanced comparison or qualification to a preceding statement. This is particularly effective when you want to avoid absolute claims and acknowledge the limitations or context of your assessment.

Common error

Avoid using "and relatively so" in straightforward comparisons where simpler language would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly formal or convoluted when a direct comparison would be more effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "and relatively so" primarily functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It connects clauses, adding a qualification or comparative aspect to the preceding statement. Ludwig examples show its use in qualifying assessments, indicating a certain degree of truth or similarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

45%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "and relatively so" is a conjunctive adverbial phrase used to introduce a qualification or comparison to a prior statement. While grammatically correct and versatile across various writing styles, it’s most at home in neutral to formal contexts such as news and science. Ludwig AI has confirmed its correct usage, emphasizing its role in adding nuance. Alternatives like "to some extent" or "comparatively speaking" offer similar functionality, but "and relatively so" specifically emphasizes comparison, and therefore has the potential of adding a lot of unnecessary pomp to a simple affirmation. While not incredibly frequent, mastering its use adds depth to written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

and to a degree

Emphasizes a partial or limited extent of agreement or truth.

and to some extent

Focuses on the limited or partial nature of the agreement or truth.

and in a similar vein

Indicates a continuation of thought in a comparable manner.

and comparatively speaking

Highlights the act of making a comparison when qualifying a statement.

and in that respect

Narrows the focus to a specific aspect or detail being compared.

and by comparison

Explicitly introduces a comparison to provide context.

and on that level

Highlights the shared characteristic or attribute being compared.

and viewed in that light

Emphasizes the perspective or lens through which something is being assessed.

and proportionately

Indicates a relationship based on proportion or ratio.

and correspondingly

Suggests a parallel or similar relationship between two elements.

FAQs

How can I use "and relatively so" in a sentence?

Use "and relatively so" to connect two related ideas, with the second providing a qualification or comparison to the first. For example, "The project was completed on time, and relatively so, considering the unexpected challenges faced."

What does "and relatively so" mean?

The phrase "and relatively so" means that something is true or accurate to a certain extent, especially when compared to something else. It introduces a degree of qualification or relativity to a statement.

Which is more appropriate, "and relatively so" or "to some extent"?

Both phrases indicate a degree of qualification. "And relatively so" implies a comparison is being made, while "to some extent" simply acknowledges a limitation or partial truth.

Are there instances where I should avoid using "and relatively so"?

Yes, avoid using "and relatively so" when a simpler, more direct comparison or qualification is possible. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound overly formal or cumbersome.