great relatives

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "great relatives" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to family members or ancestors who are considered significant or admirable in some way. Example: "I often think about my great relatives who paved the way for our family and instilled strong values in us."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

No matter how self-made someone seems, they have always had lots of different kinds of help: the public school system allowed them access to knowledge (if not always great!), relatives helped cultivate their interests and their family helped them go to college (for example).

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"But it is great relative to sentiment".

The New York Times

He looked great — relative to expectations.

The New Yorker

"He can't afford to be in anything that's not showing great relative strength".

The New York Times

Productions in repertory through July 15: "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "The Negro of Peter the Great," "Relative Values" and "Julius Caesar".

The New York Times - Arts

A great relative of mine was famous as the boon companion to Mary, Queen of Scots; another one gained the ravenous affections of Marie Antoinette......

The Guardian - Books

It is a great relative value at a p/e of 15 and a 4.3% dividend yield.

Forbes

The show tracks seven celebrities, one per episode, back through time, familiarizing them with great-great-great-relatives they didn't know they had and, more to the point, to stories they weren't aware they could claim as their own.

The New York Times - Arts

And with such thin budgets, the losses have a greater relative impact on what survives.

The Guardian - Sport

Asia has the highest average elevation of the continents and contains the greatest relative relief.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The greatest relative concern of the US is nuclear weapons, although only 6 per cent of Americans chose the issue.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing family history or genealogy, use "great relatives" to highlight ancestors who have made significant contributions or achieved notable accomplishments.

Common error

Avoid using "great relatives" in casual conversation where simpler terms like "grandparents" or "ancestors" would be more appropriate. The phrase implies a level of formality and significance that may be out of place in everyday settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great relatives" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to family members or ancestors who are considered significant or admirable. The Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "great relatives" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe ancestors or family members who are considered significant or admirable. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's a relatively rare phrase, best suited for contexts where emphasizing the importance or accomplishments of family is desired. Alternatives like "esteemed ancestors" or "remarkable family members" may be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Ludwig examples show its appearance across diverse sources, from news media to scientific publications, indicating a broad but infrequent applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant ancestors

This alternative emphasizes the impact and importance of one's ancestors.

esteemed ancestors

This alternative emphasizes respect and high regard for one's ancestors.

remarkable family members

This highlights the exceptional qualities or achievements of family members.

memorable family figures

This highlights relatives who are worth remembering.

distinguished forebears

This emphasizes the notable achievements and standing of ancestors.

notable kin

This is a more concise way to refer to relatives of importance.

admirable progenitors

This focuses on ancestors who are worthy of admiration.

illustrious relations

This emphasizes the fame and recognition of one's relatives.

venerable lineage

This shifts the focus to the respect and honor associated with the family line.

important family connections

This focuses on the significance and influence of family members.

FAQs

How can I use "great relatives" in a sentence?

You can use "great relatives" to refer to ancestors who are considered significant or admirable. For example, "I often think about my great relatives who paved the way for our family and instilled strong values in us."

What can I say instead of "great relatives"?

You can use alternatives like "esteemed ancestors", "remarkable family members", or "significant ancestors" depending on the context.

Is "great relatives" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct, "great relatives" isn't as commonly used as simpler terms like "ancestors" or "family members". Its usage is more appropriate when emphasizing the significance or accomplishments of those relatives.

What's the difference between "great relatives" and "ancestors"?

"Ancestors" is a general term for people from whom you are descended. "Great relatives" specifically highlights ancestors who are considered particularly important, accomplished, or admirable.