relates

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relates" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing connections or associations between ideas, concepts, or events. Example: "The study relates the increase in temperature to the decline in biodiversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So anything that relates to the prophet could be in the bulldozer's sights.

The Guardian - Arts

Comments we received from students included, "they do not talk about the things we need to know" and "I don't find enough useful information that relates to me".

The Guardian

The warning relates to the product line's voice recognition services, which lets users control their television with voice commands input through a microphone on the set's remote control.

The Guardian - Tech

It seems Prince Andrew may have diplomatic immunity, but no one seems entirely sure, the law as it relates to royals being somewhat unclear.

The Guardian - Opinion

The manifesto commitment extends the principle of English votes – by which English MPs will be given a veto over legislation that relates solely to England – to financial matters.

The Guardian

"For something like this to come down would absolutely cripple our opportunities," said Stodola, a Democrat, of the technology industry's potential economic backlash, "This is a 21st-century version of what we went through in 1957 as it relates to racial integration".

The Guardian

Of course my work relates to all of those things, but it's not what we're about.

The Guardian

There have been only a handful of arrests so far; the most serious relates to an alleged plot, while others are for allegedly attending training camps in Syria.

The Guardian

In other cases, off-topic relates to the general subject area of a particular series or section (e.g. the media blog).

The Guardian

The court said it was a violation of article 3 of protocol 1 to the European convention on human rights, which relates to the right to free elections.

The Guardian

The email in question, forwarded to Clinton by her deputy chief of staff Jake Sullivan, relates to reports of arrests in Libya of possible suspects in the attack in which four Americans were killed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "relates", ensure the connection between the subjects is clear to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify how one event "relates" to another rather than simply stating that it does.

Common error

Avoid using "relates" without specifying the nature of the connection. For example, instead of saying 'The study relates to climate change', clarify with 'The study relates the increased frequency of storms to climate change'.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "relates" is a verb indicating a connection or association between two or more entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies how one thing is pertinent to another, establishing a link or relationship. Examples show it being used to connect concepts, events, or pieces of information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

28%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relates" is a versatile verb used to establish connections and associations between subjects. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various authoritative sources, including news, business, and scientific publications, solidify its place in standard English. While "relates" is generally safe to use, be sure to establish directness, substituting with alternatives like "connects", "pertains to" or "is associated with", depending on the specific context to add clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

connects

Highlights a direct link or association between two or more things.

pertains to

Emphasizes relevance or applicability to a specific subject or matter.

is associated with

Suggests a connection or correlation, often without implying causation.

concerns

Indicates that something is about or deals with a particular topic.

is relevant to

Stresses the importance or significance of something in relation to a particular context.

bears on

Implies that something has an influence or impact on a particular issue.

is linked to

Highlights a connection, often suggesting a causal relationship.

refers to

Indicates that something makes mention of or alludes to a particular subject.

applies to

Suggests that a rule, principle, or concept is relevant or valid in a particular situation.

is tied to

Emphasizes a strong connection or dependency between two or more things.

FAQs

How can I use "relates" in a sentence?

You can use "relates" to show a connection or association between two things. For instance, "The warning "relates to" the product line's voice recognition services."

What's the difference between "relates to" and "concerns"?

"Relates to" indicates a connection or association, while "concerns" implies the subject matter or focus. For example, "The issue "relates to" pay" versus "The article concerns environmental policy."

What are some alternatives to using "relates"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "connects", "pertains to", or "is associated with".

When is it appropriate to use "relates" in formal writing?

It is appropriate to use "relates" in formal writing when you need to clearly establish a connection or relevance between different topics, ideas, or pieces of information. This helps maintain clarity and coherence in your writing.