relate back to

USAGE SUMMARY

"relate back to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English that means to link something to a previous idea or topic.
For example, Bob was discussing the challenges of winter weather when he suddenly changed the subject to summer barbecues. To continue the conversation, I said, "That's a great topic, but let's try to relate back to our original discussion about winter weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Clifford: Having similar philosophies that relate back to the similar ways we were raised helps.

The New York Times

I would always relate back to that whenever I was insulted or rejected from hotels.

The Guardian - Sport

Our ambitions, desires and fears all relate back to context in some shape or form.

The Guardian

QUESTION FROM KELVIN: Boehner's "all of the above" on health case seems to relate back to his entire leadership style and personality?

The New Yorker

I'm really looking for someone who can talk and has enough life experience that they can tell stories and reference things that don't all relate back to some time they were on a film set.

The Guardian - Film

Traditional cooking is important to me, and it's disappearing Modern Scandi cuisine doesn't relate back to traditional methods and recipes – foraging has always been important, but not the cuisine.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Many people said the clothes looked like stuff sold at Topshop or a thrift store, while others defended Mr. Slimane's approach and identified pieces, like a pink fur chubby, that relate back to Yves's designs of the late '60s and early '70s, when he got ideas — say, for a pea coat — from the street.

The New York Times

Such an analysis is a form of pattern recognition within the interview data towards the identification of overarching themes that relate back to the constructs.

International Journal of STEM Education

The names of the algorithms relate back to the key presented earlier in Table 1 and are numerated from one to six as per the bracketed numbers.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Insurance touches every part of our lives, and out of thousands of startups in Silicon Valley, almost all relate back to insurance in one way or another.

TechCrunch

The app allows users to interact with their friends via polls, quizzes, gossip and real interactive ads that relate back to what is on the screen.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "relate back to" to strengthen the coherence and flow of your writing by explicitly linking new information to previously established concepts.

Common error

Avoid overusing "relate back to" in close proximity within your writing. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "refer back to", "connect to" or "link to" to maintain reader engagement and prevent redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relate back to" functions primarily as a phrasal verb used to establish a connection or link between a current subject and a previous one. As Ludwig AI indicates, it serves to connect ideas or concepts within a discourse.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

36%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relate back to" is a versatile phrasal verb used to establish connections between ideas and ensure coherence in writing. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it functions to link a current topic with a previous one. This phrase is widely used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific publications and general writing. While effective, it's essential to use it judiciously, varying your language with synonyms like "refer back to", "connect to", or "link to" to maintain reader engagement. Remember to maintain clarity in your writing to ensure the relationship between the topics are clear and explicit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

refer back to

This implies a direct reference or citation of something previously mentioned.

be related to

This is a more general way of saying that something is connected to a prior element.

connect to

This suggests a link or association with a previous topic or concept.

tie in with

This indicates a close relationship or integration with a preceding element.

link to

This suggests a connection or association with something.

correspond to

This means to be similar or analogous; to be in agreement or conformity.

be associated with

This indicates a relationship or connection, often less direct than "refer back to".

be relevant to

This signifies that something is pertinent or applicable to a prior subject.

have a bearing on

This implies influence or relevance to a previous situation or idea.

have implications for

This denotes the consequences or effects of something on a previous matter.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "relate back to" in a sentence?

To use "relate back to" effectively, make sure the connection between the current topic and the previous one is clear. For instance, "Let's "relate back to" our initial discussion about budget constraints when considering these new project proposals."

What are some alternatives to using "relate back to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "refer back to", "connect to", or "tie in with". Each carries a slightly different nuance, so choose the one that best fits your meaning.

Is it more formal to say "relate to" instead of "relate back to"?

While "relate to" can be more concise, ""relate back to"" emphasizes a connection to something previously mentioned. The level of formality depends more on the surrounding language and context than the phrase itself.

When is it appropriate to use "relate back to" in academic writing?

In academic writing, ""relate back to"" is appropriate when you want to explicitly link your current analysis or findings to earlier theories, studies, or arguments discussed in your paper. This strengthens the logical flow of your reasoning.