more distant relatives

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "more distant relatives" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to family members who are not closely related, such as cousins, great-aunts, or great-uncles. Example: "At the family reunion, I met some more distant relatives I had never known before."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Capuchins are much more distant relatives.

The New York Times - Science

There are still some relatives in eastern Tennessee, but they're more distant relatives.

The New Yorker

More distant relatives were cofounders of Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota.

The New York Times

It does not, however, let them disinter grandparents or other more distant relatives.

The New York Times

Many are believed to use offshore companies or more distant relatives to hide their true assets.

The Guardian

The Party Prince seems to have more in common with these more distant relatives than he does with his immediate family.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Mr. Chanticleer is survived by three nieces, three nephews, many more distant relatives and, for the time being, the museum, although its fate is uncertain.

The New York Times

In some cases this is a reasonable inference since, for example, several tyrannosaurs are known with feathers, strongly implying that even Tyrannosaurus had them, but what about more distant relatives?

The Guardian

Under the current intestacy laws, property is passed on to family members, with those closest in blood relationship receiving the bulk, and more distant relatives only benefitting if there are no more immediate relatives to take the property.

The Guardian - Money

It is not yet clear who exactly will be compensated, and by how much, as many of those directly affected by the shootings have since died, and it is not known whether more distant relatives will make claims.

The Guardian

Today, only a few more distant relatives are left in the area, but as a child it seemed that virtually everyone here was a relative of some kind, with older residents speaking fondly of ancestors I had never known.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing inheritance or legal matters, use "more distant relatives" to clearly distinguish beneficiaries who are not immediate family members.

Common error

Avoid assuming a close emotional connection with "more distant relatives". Always acknowledge the potential for varying levels of familiarity and connection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "more distant relatives" functions as a noun phrase, specifically a descriptor, to identify family members who are not closely related. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "more distant relatives" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote family members who are not part of one's immediate family. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's commonly found in contexts related to science and news, maintaining a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. Alternatives such as "extended family members" or "remote kin" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Usage considerations include being mindful of emotional distance and ensuring clarity, especially in legal or genealogical contexts. Overall, Ludwig AI validates the phrase's correctness and widespread applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

family members not closely related

Clearly states the lack of close familial ties.

further removed relations

Emphasizes the degree of separation in the family tree, focusing on genealogical distance.

relatives of a lesser degree

Indicates a weaker or more indirect relationship.

extended family members

Highlights the inclusion of relatives beyond the immediate nuclear family.

relatives once removed

A precise genealogical term indicating a specific degree of separation.

collateral relatives

A more technical term referring to relatives who are not direct descendants.

remote kin

Stresses the lack of close connection due to genealogical distance.

later generation family

Focuses on relatives from subsequent generations, implying a generational gap.

kin from afar

Evokes a sense of distance and infrequent contact.

relatives by marriage

Specifies that the relationship is through marriage rather than blood.

FAQs

How do I use "more distant relatives" in a sentence?

You can use "more distant relatives" to describe family members who are not closely related, such as cousins, aunts/uncles, or great-grandparents. For example, "The inheritance was divided among the immediate family and "more distant relatives"".

What's the difference between "immediate family" and "more distant relatives"?

"Immediate family" typically refers to parents, siblings, and children. "More distant relatives" encompasses all other family members, such as cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, who are not part of the immediate household.

What can I say instead of "more distant relatives"?

Alternatives include "extended family members", "remote kin", or "collateral relatives", depending on the desired level of formality and specificity.

When is it appropriate to mention "more distant relatives"?

It's appropriate to mention "more distant relatives" when discussing topics like family history, inheritance, genealogy, or situations where the degree of kinship is relevant, such as in legal or medical contexts.