in relation to that of

USAGE SUMMARY

'in relation to that of' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to compare one thing to another or when referencing something previously mentioned. For example, "The amount of rainfall in this region is significantly greater in relation to that of the neighboring region."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The population of Northern Ireland is comparatively young in relation to that of the rest of the United Kingdom.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Even his Pragmatism is viewed in relation to that of other Pragmatists rather than to other parts of his own work.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In transportation, for instance, the power of steam engines was initially described in relation to that of horses, a practice that has continued to the present day.

The New York Times

But mostly her character is defined only in relation to that of Mr. Zero; there's none of the anchoring personal detail that would make her truly scary or pitiable.

The New York Times

Ms. McCormick, who is in her late 30's, said the play prompted her to think about her own marriage (to Byron Jennings) in relation to that of her parents, who divorced when she was 24.

The New York Times

The painting "Materia" is the centerpiece of this ambitious show, which studies Boccioni's work in relation to that of some European contemporaries, among them Braque, Delaunay, Duchamp, Gris and Picasso.

The New York Times - Arts

Stirling kept considering his art in relation to that of others, both 20th-century figures like Le Corbusier and the Russian constructivists, and architects of the Italian renaissance, or the grand industrial architecture of Liverpool, where he grew up.

The Guardian - Arts

Landgrave, feminine landgravine, a title of nobility in Germany and Scandinavia, dating from the 12th century, when the kings of Germany attempted to strengthen their position in relation to that of the dukes (Herzoge).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Threshold cycle (Ct) values of the miRNAs were normalized in relation to that of U6.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

The variance ratio expresses the variance of males in relation to that of females.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

From the result of the experiment, the final drawing speed can be approximately doubled in relation to that of the current drawing process.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in relation to that of" to establish a clear comparison between two distinct elements, ensuring the context provides sufficient information about both items being related.

Common error

Ensure the referent of "that of" is crystal clear. If there's any ambiguity, rephrase to explicitly state what you're comparing to avoid confusing the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in relation to that of" functions as a prepositional phrase used to establish a comparison between two entities. It sets up a relationship where one item is understood or evaluated in the context of another. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

67%

News & Media

28%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in relation to that of" is a grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to draw comparisons between two distinct items. Ludwig confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts. It is most frequently found in scientific and news media sources, indicating its suitability for formal and analytical writing. To ensure clarity, always make sure that the subject of comparison is explicitly stated and avoid ambiguity. When a less formal tone is acceptable, consider using alternatives such as "compared with that of" or "relative to that of".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compared with that of

This alternative offers a more concise way to express comparison, focusing directly on the act of comparing.

relative to that of

This alternative emphasizes the idea of something being assessed in proportion to something else.

in comparison to that of

This alternative explicitly states the comparison being made, highlighting the act of contrasting two elements.

as opposed to that of

This alternative introduces a sense of contrast or opposition between the two elements being compared.

in contrast with that of

This alternative sharpens the focus on the differences between the items being considered.

by comparison with that of

This alternative highlights the act of using something as a benchmark for assessing something else.

assessed against that of

This alternative emphasizes the evaluation or judgment of something based on a standard.

when compared to that of

This alternative specifies the condition under which the comparison is valid, adding a temporal element.

measured against that of

This alternative suggests a more precise or quantitative comparison.

juxtaposed with that of

This alternative highlights the act of placing two things side by side for comparison, emphasizing their differences.

FAQs

How can I use "in relation to that of" in a sentence?

Use "in relation to that of" to draw a comparison between two things. For example, "The population of Northern Ireland is comparatively young "in relation to" that of the rest of the United Kingdom."

What are some alternatives to "in relation to that of"?

You can use alternatives such as "compared with that of", "relative to that of", or "in comparison to that of" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "that of" after "in relation to"?

Using "that of" is important for grammatical correctness when you're comparing something to a similar noun or concept. Omitting it can lead to ambiguity or incorrect sentence structure.

How does the formality of "in relation to that of" compare to its alternatives?

"In relation to that of" is generally considered a neutral to formal expression. Alternatives like "compared to" might be suitable for less formal contexts.