my relatives

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my relatives" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to family members, such as cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents, in both formal and informal contexts. Example: "During the holidays, I always enjoy spending time with my relatives at our family gatherings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My relatives don't know.

The New York Times

"My relatives were there".

The New York Times

You're insulting my relatives!

The New Yorker

"Most of my relatives?

The Guardian

"My relatives thought I had become brainwashed.

Independent

Like this time my relatives were visiting.

The New York Times

My relatives in Syria all left".

The New York Times

"My kids, my relatives, visitors".

The New York Times

I danced for my relatives.

The Guardian

"All my relatives were conscientious about building.

The New York Times

"These were my relatives," Ms. Wang said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, avoid using colloquial alternatives like "my folks" and instead stick to "my relatives" or "my family members".

Common error

The term "relations" can sometimes be used interchangeably with "relatives", but it can also refer to broader connections and interactions. Be specific and use "my relatives" when you want to clearly indicate family members.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my relatives" functions as a noun phrase acting as a possessive determiner plus a common noun. Ludwig AI examples show it frequently appearing as a subject or object within sentences, indicating individuals connected by blood or marriage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "my relatives" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to refer to family members beyond the immediate household. Ludwig AI indicates that its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various contexts, and its meaning is clear and widely understood. It is frequently found in news and media, as well as scientific texts. While alternatives like "my kin" or "my relations" exist, "my relatives" is a direct and unambiguous choice for most situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

my family members

Uses a more general term for family, encompassing all related individuals.

my extended family

Specifically refers to relatives beyond the immediate nuclear family.

my relations

A synonym for relatives, slightly more formal.

my blood relatives

Emphasizes the biological connection between family members.

my kin

A more formal or archaic term for relatives.

my next of kin

Refers to the closest relatives, typically used in legal or official contexts.

my folks

An informal term for family, often referring to parents or close relatives.

my people

A more general term that can include relatives, friends, and community members.

my ancestors

Refers to relatives from past generations.

my descendants

Refers to relatives from future generations.

FAQs

What is the difference between "my relatives" and "my family"?

"My family" typically refers to your immediate household, while "my relatives" includes a broader circle of related individuals, like cousins, aunts, and uncles.

When is it appropriate to use "my kin" instead of "my relatives"?

"My kin" is a more formal or archaic term. Use "my relatives" in most modern contexts, reserving "my kin" for historical or literary writing, or when aiming for a specific stylistic effect.

Are "my relations" and "my relatives" interchangeable?

While "my relations" can sometimes be used to mean the same as "my relatives", it can also refer to other types of relationships. To avoid ambiguity, use "my relatives" when you specifically mean family members.

How can I make the phrase "my relatives" more specific?

You can specify which relatives you are referring to by saying "my immediate relatives", "my extended family", or by naming the specific family members, such as "my aunts and uncles".