close relatives

USAGE SUMMARY

"close relatives" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to family members who are closely related to one another. For example, "My close relatives include my parents, siblings, and grandparents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And transparency and liquidity are close relatives.

The Economist

Mrs. Clark left no close relatives.

The New York Times

Close relatives include crabs, crayfish, and lobsters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"They are not close relatives".

The New York Times

He leaves no close relatives.

The Guardian

Generally, Batesian mimics are close relatives.

The Guardian

There are no close relatives left in Nassau.

The New York Times - Food

Even his close relatives and friends eventually "betrayed" him.

The New Yorker

The two sisters have no other close relatives.

The New York Times

She had no children and no close relatives.

The New York Times

Close relatives do not work, cook or run errands.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about inheritance or legal matters, consider using "next of kin" for greater precision instead of "close relatives".

Common error

Avoid using "close relatives" when you actually mean distant or extended family. "Close relatives" implies a direct and immediate familial connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "close relatives" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific group of people related by blood or marriage, emphasizing the directness and immediacy of their familial connection. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

38%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "close relatives" is a common and grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe immediate family members. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a correct and usable phrase across various contexts. Predominantly found in news, media, and scientific sources, it serves to clearly define direct familial relationships. While alternatives like "immediate family" or "next of kin" may be more appropriate depending on the context, "close relatives" offers a versatile and widely understood way to convey this concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediate family

Focuses specifically on the closest family members, typically parents, siblings, and children.

close family members

A more descriptive and less concise way of saying "close relatives".

near relatives

A more formal and slightly less common way of saying "close relatives".

closest kin

Emphasizes the legal or biological ties and can sound more formal or archaic.

next of kin

Refers to the person or people who are most closely related to someone, especially for legal purposes.

intimate family

Highlights the emotional closeness and intimacy within the family.

immediate relations

Similar to immediate family but can extend slightly beyond the nuclear family.

inner circle of family

Emphasizes a sense of closeness and emotional bond within the family group.

blood relations

Highlights the genetic connection between family members.

direct relations

Emphasizes the directness of the familial link.

FAQs

What does the term "close relatives" mean?

The term "close relatives" refers to immediate family members such as parents, siblings, and children. It can also include grandparents, aunts, and uncles, depending on the context and degree of emotional connection.

How do I use "close relatives" in a sentence?

You can use "close relatives" to describe familial relationships, such as "I only spend holidays with my "close relatives"" or "She has no "close relatives" living nearby."

What's the difference between "close relatives" and "distant relatives"?

"Close relatives" are immediate family members, while "distant relatives" are those with more remote familial connections, such as cousins or second cousins. The degree of relation determines the classification.

Are there any legal implications associated with "close relatives"?

Yes, "close relatives" often have legal significance in matters of inheritance, guardianship, and medical decision-making. "Next of kin" is a related legal term that specifically identifies the individuals with the strongest legal rights and responsibilities.