in relation to what

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in relation to what" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking for clarification or context regarding a specific topic or statement. Example: "In relation to what you just said, can you provide more details?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And regulate its value in relation to what?

The New York Times

It's not about good and bad, but about good in relation to what?

The New York Times - Arts

Standards only have meaning in relation to what children actually achieve.

The Guardian

In relation to what the stockholders own (i.e., the corporation's net assets)?

The New York Times

"In relation to what we can keep on databases, we are governed quite strictly on that.

The Guardian

How big has this re-direction actually been in relation to what might be optimal?

The New Yorker

The same point can be made in relation to what is called conscience.

The Guardian - Books

"In Britain there is still a glass ceiling in relation to what many women can achieve.

Independent

"The films hold up as social comments in relation to what seemed to be a changing world," he said.

The New York Times

The majority of Ofcom's previous licence revocations have been in relation to what one might call "babe channels".

The Guardian

"It raises very serious questions in relation to what capacity the first minister was acting," McGuinness said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in relation to what", ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity. Specify the reference point or standard against which something is being evaluated.

Common error

Avoid using "in relation to what" in overly complex sentences where simpler alternatives like "regarding" or "concerning" would improve clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in relation to what" functions as a prepositional phrase introducing a clause that seeks to establish a context or reference point. As Ludwig AI explains, it requests clarification or specifies a framework for understanding a statement or situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in relation to what" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to request context, comparison, or a frame of reference. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely employed. While it appears frequently in news, scientific, and formal business contexts, simpler alternatives like "regarding what" or "concerning what" may be preferable in informal settings. Effective usage involves ensuring clarity and avoiding overuse in complex sentences to maintain readability. By considering context and choosing appropriate alternatives, writers can effectively leverage the nuances of this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compared to what

Emphasizes a direct comparison rather than a contextual relationship.

relative to what

Highlights the relativity or dependency on a specific reference point.

with respect to what

Introduces a specific aspect or viewpoint under consideration.

in comparison with what

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

considering what

Focuses on taking something into account before making a judgement.

given what

Suggests a premise or condition upon which something else depends.

regarding what

Narrows the focus to a specific topic or subject.

concerning what

Similar to "regarding what" but can imply a sense of importance or relevance.

in light of what

Emphasizes the use of new information to understand something.

on the basis of what

Highlights the underlying reason or foundation for something.

FAQs

How can I use "in relation to what" in a sentence?

Use "in relation to what" to ask for clarification or context. For example, "In relation to what you said, can you provide more details?"

What's a simpler way to say "in relation to what"?

Alternatives include "regarding what", "concerning what", or "relative to what", depending on the specific context.

Is "in relation to what" formal or informal?

"In relation to what" is suitable for both formal and neutral contexts. Simpler alternatives like "regarding what" might be preferable in very informal settings.

When is it best to use "in relation to what" versus "compared to what"?

"In relation to what" is broader, indicating context or connection. "Compared to what" implies a direct comparison of two or more items.