pertain

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "pertain" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb which means "to relate to; be relevant to (a particular subject)." For example, you could say, "The professor discussed topics that pertained to the course."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Similar to "Scream", the lyrics to "They Don't Care About Us" pertain to injustice, as well as racism.

Wikipedia

Therefore, each user receives a more customized astrological reading rather than generic information designed to pertain to as many people as possible.

TechCrunch

All the incentives and conflicts of interest we discussed with LGS1 pertain here, as well.

Environmental Health Perspectives

At fifty-eight, he was charming, distinguished, and disdainful of what did not pertain to culture as he saw it.

The New Yorker

These generalities do not always pertain, but serve as useful guides to the design or interpretation of trials.

Principles and Practice of Clinical Research

The difficulty with this approach is that the national incidence figures would not then pertain, as the simple fact of requesting testing of the haemoglobin selects a group in whom the risk of cancer is now twice the national risk – in that something, probably symptoms, triggered estimation of the haemoglobin.

British Journal of Cancer

This extends to matters that pertain to nursing as well.

BMC Nursing

Such findings do not necessarily only pertain to students, as similar findings have been described elsewhere.

BMC Medical Education

What he says of his chestnut colt pertains just as much to him.

The New York Times - Sports

It pertains just as much to all other expert advice, addressing gluten, fructose, meat, carbs, and so on.

Huffington Post

It's theological, but it always pertains as immediately as any fairy tale does.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pertain" when you want to indicate a direct and relevant connection between two subjects. It adds a formal tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "pertain" if the connection is tangential or weak. Ensure the relationship is direct and significant, otherwise, a more general term like "relate" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pertain" is as a verb. It signifies a direct and relevant connection or relationship between subjects or matters. Ludwig AI indicates that the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "pertain" is used to indicate a direct and relevant connection between subjects, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions primarily to establish relevance, often in formal and scientific registers. While this analysis provides a framework for understanding its usage, it's important to note that no examples were found in the data. For more contextually relevant alternatives, consider phrases like ""relate to"", "apply to", or "concern".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relate to

This alternative directly indicates a connection or association with a specific topic.

apply to

This suggests that something has relevance or is appropriate for a particular situation or context.

concern

This alternative implies that something is about or affects a specific subject or person.

be relevant to

This phrase explicitly states that something is pertinent or applicable to a particular matter.

bear upon

This formal alternative suggests that something has an influence or effect on a particular issue.

have a bearing on

This phrase implies that something has an impact or relevance to a specific matter.

refer to

This alternative indicates that something makes a specific reference or allusion.

be connected to

This implies a direct link or association with a specific subject or situation.

have to do with

This common phrase suggests that something is related to or associated with a particular topic.

touch on

This suggests a brief or indirect mention or consideration of a specific subject.

FAQs

How do you use "pertain" in a sentence?

Use "pertain" to show a direct and relevant connection between two subjects. For example, "The evidence presented must "relate to" the case at hand."

What can I say instead of "pertain"?

You can use alternatives like ""relate to"", "apply to", or "concern" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "pertain to" or "pertain with"?

"Pertain to" is the correct usage. The verb "pertain" requires the preposition "to" to indicate the subject or matter to which something is related.

What's the difference between "pertain" and "relate"?

"Pertain" often suggests a more direct and crucial relevance than "relate". While "relate" can indicate a general connection, "pertain" implies a specific and significant bearing on the subject.