pertained

USAGE SUMMARY

"pertained" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is used as a verb meaning "to be relevant or applicable to something" or "to relate or belong to something". Example sentence: The new regulations pertained only to employees in the finance department.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rathke only said that the State Department is "aware of reports of that nature" and that the US would prosecute corruption charges because they pertained to US law.

The Guardian - Sport

The 296 emails all pertained to the 2012 terrorist attack on the United States consulate in Benghazi, Libya.

The Guardian

Indeed, Capital Economics reckons that the average ratio since 2002 is about 10, rather than the 16 that has pertained over a longer period.That still indicates, with oil at more than $130 a barrel, that gold could soon cost $1300 an ounce.

The Economist

That pertained even for those from disadvantaged backgrounds: "a remarkable performance", concludes Mr Schleicher.But the glory prompts questions.

The Economist

But it is also plausible that at some rate, a higher tax take starts to damage economic activity; certainly, Sweden has been trying to cut back the state's take from the even higher levels that pertained in the early 1990s.When one turns to spending, the fiscal problems become clear.

The Economist

She set the conditions in her model to simulate those thought to have pertained just after the Big Bang, pressed the "start" button, and let things evolve.The dark matter settled into a pattern that resembles that of visible matter.

The Economist

And different results come from different models.We have not been awash in arguments for adaptation precisely because the consensus pertained to now-troubled estimates of climate sensitivity.

The Economist

A similar pattern (0.7, 1.3, 1.2 and 1.2) pertained to the number of functions other than the squeak that the children found.The researchers' conclusion was that, in the context of strange toys of unknown function, prior explanation does, indeed, inhibit exploration and discovery.

The Economist

SIR —Many gun-control advocates claim that the Second Amendment was never intended to give citizens the right to privately own guns and that it originally pertained to the militia.

The Economist

However, the result also pertained to each individual measurement.

The Economist

Mr Murdoch still denies that this ever happened and repeated today that his only knowledge of the case pertained to approving a hefty payout to Gordon Taylor, a former football boss, for what he took to be a one-off affair.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pertained" when you want to indicate a direct relevance or connection between two subjects, especially in formal writing. For example, "The evidence presented only pertained to the first incident."

Common error

Avoid confusing "pertained" (past tense of 'pertain') with 'pertinent' (an adjective meaning relevant). "Pertained" describes a past action or state of relevance, while 'pertinent' describes something that is currently relevant. For example, "The information was pertinent to the investigation" (correct) vs. "The information pertained to the investigation" (also correct, indicating past relevance).

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pertained" is as the past tense of the verb 'pertain'. It indicates that something was relevant or related to something else in the past. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing examples where "pertained" connects a subject with its area of relevance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Encyclopedias

27%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pertained" functions as the past tense of 'pertain', indicating a past relationship or relevance between two subjects. As highlighted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in formal contexts like news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. When writing, remember to use "pertained" to specify past relevance and avoid confusing it with the adjective 'pertinent'. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "related to" or "concerned with" depending on your specific nuance. "Pertained" is a versatile and valuable term for establishing precise connections in written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

related to

This alternative is a more common and direct way of expressing a connection or relevance.

had to do with

This alternative is a less formal and more general way of expressing a connection.

connected with

This alternative suggests a link or association, often in a broader sense.

concerned with

This alternative emphasizes the subject matter or focus of something.

had relevance to

This alternative is a more explicit way of stating the importance or applicability of something.

applied to

This alternative suggests that something is relevant or used in a specific situation.

was applicable to

This alternative emphasizes the suitability or appropriateness of something in a particular context.

referred to

This alternative indicates that something is making reference to the subject at hand.

touched on

This alternative suggests a brief or indirect mention of something.

bore upon

This alternative is a more formal way of saying 'had an influence on'.

FAQs

How do I use "pertained" in a sentence?

"Pertained" is the past tense of the verb 'pertain', meaning to relate to or have to do with something. For instance, "The discussion "pertained to" the new regulations" indicates that the topic of the discussion was related to those regulations.

What's a synonym for "pertained"?

Synonyms for "pertained" include "related to", "concerned with", and "applied to". The best choice depends on the specific context.

What is the difference between "pertained" and "pertinent"?

"Pertained" is a verb form (past tense of 'pertain') indicating a past relationship or relevance, while 'pertinent' is an adjective meaning currently relevant or applicable. You can say: "The documents "pertained to" the case" (past relation) and "The information is pertinent to the investigation" (currently relevant).

Is it correct to use "pertained" in formal writing?

Yes, "pertained" is suitable for formal writing. It indicates a clear and direct relationship or relevance, which is often desired in academic, professional, or legal contexts. For example, "The evidence presented "pertained to" the specific allegations."