relates it to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relates it to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing how one concept or idea connects or corresponds to another. Example: "The author relates it to the broader theme of identity in her novel."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

According to Beverley Driver Eddy, The Land of Green Plums presents trauma as well as its testimony; the narrator gives her own testimony, and relates it to the testimony of her friends' suffering.

Wikipedia

Now he relates it to his difficulties with women.

The Guardian - Books

This method introduces a control field and a map that relates it to the geometry field.

Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering

He sometimes talks about the second chance he got, and he relates it to hockey".

The New York Times - Sports

Treating supersymmetry in this way relates it to general relativity, and so gravity is automatically included.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"By using 'mushroom in origin' it really helps consumers understand what mycoprotein is and relates it to a familiar food.

The New York Times - Science

The most common explanation of dyslexia relates it to a specific disorder in auditory and phonological processing1, 3.

Nature

Glimcher does extraordinary neuroscience and relates it to the most fundamental of all questions: how the brain makes decisions.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This article comparatively reviews this research and relates it to understanding the symptoms and pathophysiologic features of schizophrenia.

Stanford University

To share this discovery, he relates it to contemporary experience, "the things that the community knows about, the things that they're interested in".

The New Yorker

That sounds thrilling, and Rowland relates it to other instances of the exuberance of the late Renaissance; for example, the language of Shakespeare.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "relates it to", ensure the connection you're making is logical and supported by evidence. Avoid forcing connections that are not naturally present.

Common error

Avoid using "relates it to" when the link between two ideas is tenuous or non-existent. Ensure there is a genuine and demonstrable relationship before using this phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relates it to" functions as a transitive verb phrase, indicating a connection or association between two or more things. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable status in written English, as demonstrated by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Academia

27%

Science

27%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "relates it to" is a versatile tool for establishing connections and context in writing. As verified by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and frequently used across diverse fields like academia, news, and science. When using "relates it to", ensure the connection you're making is clear and logical. While alternatives like "connects it with" and "links it to" exist, "relates it to" offers a direct and effective way to show how different elements are interconnected. Remember to avoid forcing connections where they don't naturally exist to maintain clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

connects it with

Focuses on establishing a direct link or association between two elements.

links it to

Emphasizes a connection, often suggesting a causal relationship or dependency.

associates it with

Highlights a mental connection or perceived similarity between items.

ties it in with

Suggests a strong, integral connection, implying that one cannot be separated from the other.

correlates it to

Indicates a statistical or empirical relationship where changes in one variable are associated with changes in another.

attributes it to

Assigns a cause or origin, suggesting that one thing is a direct result of another.

ascribes it to

Similar to attributes, but often used when the connection is based on belief or interpretation rather than concrete evidence.

equates it with

Suggests that two things are considered equal or interchangeable in some context.

analogizes it to

Draws a comparison based on similarities between otherwise different things, often for explanatory purposes.

interprets it as

Implies that something is understood or explained in a particular way, giving it a specific meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "relates it to" in a sentence?

Use "relates it to" to connect a specific idea or concept to a broader theme or context. For instance, "The author relates the character's struggle to the universal theme of overcoming adversity."

What are some alternatives to "relates it to"?

You can use alternatives like "connects it with", "links it to", or "associates it with" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "relates it to" or "relates with"?

"Relates it to" is the correct and more common phrasing. "Relates with" is less frequently used and may sound awkward. For example, use "He relates the findings to previous studies" instead of "He relates the findings with previous studies."

How does "relates it to" differ from "compares it to"?

"Relates it to" suggests a connection or association, whereas "compares it to" implies a direct comparison highlighting similarities or differences. You "relate" an effect to its cause, but you "compare" two different approaches in similar situations.