by relative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by relative" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to something related to a relative, but without additional context, it is unclear how to use it appropriately. Example: "The decision was made by relative influence, which affected the outcome significantly."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Kargbo considers himself fortunate by relative standards, however.

The New York Times - Sports

Particles may be classified in size by relative settling rates.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Grant and Morgan are replaced by relative novices in Rob Mitchell and Chris Tomlinson.

The Guardian - Sport

Bones can be identified by relative age, body part and shape.

The New York Times - Tech

The renewed fighting in the north has been matched by relative quiet elsewhere in Syria.

The Guardian

Their repertory ranges from George Balanchine's ballets to a few by relative unknowns.

The New York Times - Arts

Word that revered heroes would be played by relative unknowns raised howls on the Internet.

The New York Times

Then came a more traditionalist stretch, followed by relative obscurity after he moved to Europe.

The New York Times - Arts

Since then, the office has been won by relative newcomers: Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama.

The New Yorker

On the Nikos Stage are three new works by relative unknowns: Etan Frankel, Lucy Prebble and Oni Faida Lampley.

The New York Times

Fifteen years of bitter infighting has been replaced by relative harmony between the RFU and the clubs.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "by relative", ensure the context is clear and unambiguous. Specify what is being compared or related to avoid confusion. For example, instead of saying 'measured by relative importance', say 'measured by relative importance to overall project goals'.

Common error

Avoid using "by relative" without specifying the basis for comparison. This can lead to unclear or misleading statements. Instead of saying 'success was determined by relative metrics', clarify with 'success was determined by relative metrics compared to industry standards'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by relative" primarily functions as a prepositional modifier, often indicating a comparative or relational aspect. As indicated by Ludwig AI, the phrase is not always grammatically complete and requires additional context to be fully understood. Examples show its use in contexts like "measured by relative..." or "determined by relative...".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by relative" is commonly used, but Ludwig AI points out that it is often grammatically incomplete and requires additional context for clarity. While prevalent in science, news, and encyclopedia sources, its use necessitates careful consideration to avoid ambiguity. It's crucial to specify what exactly is being compared or related when using this phrase. Alternatives like "in relative terms", "compared to", and "in relation to" can offer more precise and grammatically sound options. Therefore, while "by relative" appears frequently, mindful and context-aware usage is essential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in relative terms

Clarifies that the comparison is being made using a specific framework or perspective.

compared to

Directly indicates a comparison between two or more entities.

in comparison with

Similar to "compared to", but slightly more formal.

in relation to

Indicates a connection or association between two or more things.

with respect to

Highlights a specific aspect or viewpoint when making a comparison.

proportionally to

Emphasizes a direct correlation or scaling based on another value.

on a relative scale

Indicates a measurement based on a predefined comparative standard.

in a comparative sense

Highlights the act of comparing rather than a direct comparison.

assessed relatively

Focuses on evaluation based on a comparison, rather than an absolute measurement.

considering the context

Broadens the perspective to include external factors in the evaluation.

FAQs

How can I use "by relative" correctly in a sentence?

To use "by relative" correctly, ensure you clearly state what is being compared. For example, instead of "evaluated by relative size", use "evaluated by relative size "compared to" the average for its species".

What are some alternatives to using "by relative"?

Alternatives to "by relative" include "in comparison to", "compared with", or "in relation to", which provide more explicit context.

Is it better to say "by relative" or "in relative terms"?

"In relative terms" is generally clearer and more grammatically sound than "by relative". It explicitly indicates that you are making a comparison based on a specific framework.

What does "measured by relative" mean?

"Measured by relative" means something is assessed or evaluated based on its comparison to another thing or standard. For clarity, specify what the comparison is made to, such as "measured by relative change "in comparison with" last year's results".