in relief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in relief" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone or something feeling or appearing relieved after experiencing something difficult. For example, "John sighed in relief when he found his lost wallet".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Catfish Hunter pitched five innings in relief.

The New York Times - Sports

Howell had recorded 18 consecutive scoreless innings in relief.

Wikipedia

Sometimes I cry in relief.

The New York Times

I lay bathed in relief.

The New Yorker

They hugged in relief.

The Guardian

He grins in relief.

The Guardian - Sport

But there was little point in relief.

Independent

Relatives of Officer Figoski sighed in relief.

The New York Times

— and then dropped in relief.

The New Yorker

Many men sighed in relief.

The Guardian - Opinion

Others crowded in relief camps.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in relief" to clearly convey a feeling of reassurance and reduced anxiety after a period of stress or uncertainty. Ensure the context makes it clear what the source of relief is.

Common error

Avoid using "in relief" to describe physical characteristics, such as raised designs on a surface. Instead, use phrases like "in raised form" or "in a relief pattern" for physical descriptions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in relief" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to describe the manner in which an action is performed or a state is experienced. According to Ludwig, it signifies a feeling of reassurance or lessening of anxiety.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in relief" is a versatile prepositional phrase commonly used to express a feeling of reassurance and reduced anxiety after a stressful situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely accepted in written English. While primarily functioning as an adverbial modifier, describing how an action is performed or a state experienced, it maintains a neutral tone suitable for diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. Be mindful not to confuse its usage with describing physical characteristics, as this can lead to misinterpretations. Remember that using "in relief" effectively requires a clear context that highlights the source of the alleviated stress or uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling relieved

Focuses on the internal sensation of relief.

with a sense of relief

Emphasizes the feeling associated with the relief.

thankfully

Expresses relief with gratitude.

assuaged

Implies a lessening of something negative, resulting in relief.

alleviated

Highlights the reduction of suffering or difficulty.

eased

Suggests a reduction in pressure or tension.

unburdened

Focuses on the removal of a burden or worry.

comforted

Implies a state of reassurance and reduced anxiety.

reassured

Focuses on the restoration of confidence and reduction of doubt.

vindicated

Suggests relief stemming from being proven right or cleared of blame.

FAQs

How can I use "in relief" in a sentence?

The phrase "in relief" typically follows a verb expressing an emotional reaction. For example, "She sighed "in relief" after hearing the good news" or "They hugged "in relief" when the danger passed".

What are some alternatives to using "in relief"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "feeling relieved", "with a sense of relief", or "thankfully" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "in relief of" instead of "in relief"?

No, "in relief of" has a different meaning, often referring to someone taking over duties from another person. The phrase "in relief" specifically expresses a feeling of reassurance or lessened anxiety.

Can "in relief" be used to describe something other than a feeling?

While primarily used to describe a feeling of reassurance, "in relief" can also describe physical art techniques where a design is raised. For example, "The ink is "in relief"" can describe a printing method.