is very relative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is very relative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is dependent on or varies with different circumstances or perspectives. Example: "The concept of beauty is very relative, as it can differ greatly from one culture to another."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"What's up and down is very relative," he said.

The New York Times

This shows that the oxygen content of Tin oxide films prepared by annealing oxidizing is very relative to the annealing temperature.

Nanoscale Research Letters

"The success of pacification is very relative.

Los Angeles Times

At the end of last season, we found out that he's not necessarily a bad guy, although on this show, bad is very relative.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It's very relative.

The New York Times

So, what is reflected on the surface, is not necessarily the whole story and is very subjectively relative and relatively subjective.

Huffington Post

Neither number is very large relative to the size of the bank, and you might think that swings in values would be unlikely to be very large.

The New York Times

Though HPV is common in men, the incidence of disease caused by the virus is very low relative to women, and infection rarely produces symptoms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Much of the world is very poor relative to America, which suggests that much of the world is overflowing with profitable investment opportunities.

The Economist

In a large market like China, the upside profit potential of getting the formula right locally is very attractive relative to the extra costs of adaptation.

The New York Times

As the probe is very small relative to the sample, the densest mesh was selected.

Nanoscale Research Letters

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is very relative" when you want to emphasize that something's meaning or value changes based on the situation, viewpoint, or comparison. Avoid using it when referring to absolute truths or quantifiable facts.

Common error

Avoid using "is very relative" when discussing objective data or factual information. For example, stating "the speed of light is very relative" is incorrect because it's a constant, not a matter of perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is very relative" functions as a qualifying adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or concept, indicating that its meaning, value, or interpretation depends on the context, perspective, or point of comparison. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is very relative" effectively communicates that a concept or characteristic depends heavily on context, perspective, or comparison. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, and the examples show its usage spans across news, science, and general knowledge domains. While alternatives like "is highly subjective" or "depends heavily on perspective" exist, "is very relative" offers a direct and clear way to express conditionality. Remember to avoid using it in scenarios involving objective facts. Its frequency is classified as uncommon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is all relative

A shortened, more direct version of the original phrase, emphasizing the relativity aspect.

is highly subjective

This alternative focuses on the personal viewpoint influencing the assessment.

is largely contextual

This phrase highlights the importance of the situation or environment in determining meaning.

depends heavily on perspective

This alternative emphasizes the role of viewpoint.

is contingent on circumstances

This highlights dependency on specific conditions.

is subject to interpretation

This alternative suggests that the meaning can vary based on how it's understood.

is all about perspective

A more emphatic way of saying that perspective is key. Emphasizes the importance of perspective.

is a matter of opinion

Highlights that the phrase is based on a personal judgment.

is not absolute

Indicates that it's not fixed or universally true.

varies considerably

This focuses on the degree of variation depending on circumstances.

FAQs

How can I use "is very relative" in a sentence?

You can use "is very relative" to indicate that something depends on the situation, context, or point of view. For example, "The definition of success "is very relative" and varies from person to person."

What's a good alternative to "is very relative"?

Alternatives include "is highly subjective", "is largely contextual", or "depends heavily on perspective", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it inappropriate to use "is very relative"?

It's not appropriate to use "is very relative" when discussing objective facts, measurements, or universally accepted truths. For instance, saying "the boiling point of water "is very relative"" would be incorrect.

What's the difference between "is very relative" and "is relative"?

"Is very relative" simply intensifies the degree to which something is dependent on context or perspective, compared to just saying "is relative". The former emphasizes the significant variability, while the latter simply acknowledges it.