relation

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "relation" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a connection between two or more people or things. For example, "I have a good working relation with my supervisor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The blind man is walking in front of a car and you do not have a duty to stop him absent some relation between you.

The New York Times

Kennedy said that the new law is "changing the relation of the individual to the government".

The Guardian

Ministers insisted the accountancy bills were in relation to their work as MPs and that the claims were allowable as parliamentary expenses.

The Guardian

"After the conference, minister Pato had a follow-up Q&A at which he discussed and took questions in relation to the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua".

The Guardian

The council had been asked to rule on the case of Ahmed Sahnouni, a Moroccan-born man naturalised in 2003, who was convicted and given a seven-year prison sentence in March 2013 for "association with criminals in relation to a terrorist plot".

The Guardian

"The problem is that who you are in relation to the world changes," says Lee of this newfound stability.

The Guardian

Speaking in Belfast, Villiers had earlier revealed that the power sharing government at Stormont is spending more than £30m per year in relation to unresolved issues of the past conflict.

The Guardian

The Australia Council Act 2013 says a minister is "unable to give direction in relation to the making of a decision by the council, in a particular case, in relation to the provision of support" but the minister does have the power to direct the council in relation to performance of function and exercise of powers.

The Guardian

Here's our round up of helpful articles and resources: Rosetta comet landing: everything you need to know This is a really handy compilation of six key things you need to know about the Rosetta mission, including how the findings will ascertain whether planets made the Earth blue and the size of 67P in relation to Manhattan, New York.

The Guardian

On Tuesday police issued a court attendance notice to the 20-year-old woman "in relation to the unauthorised access of restricted data," a NSW Police spokeswoman told Guardian Australia.

The Guardian

The CBI boss, who is being talked of as a successor to Dick Olver as chairman of BAE Systems, invited the G8 to consider three points in relation to tax reform: Avoiding the moral debate – "it's all about the rules".

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing family members, 'relation' is a direct synonym of 'relative' and refers to people connected by blood or marriage. Make sure the context clarifies if you are talking about family ties, or something else entirely.

Common error

While "relation" and "relationship" are often interchangeable, "relationship" typically implies a more interactive or mutual connection, especially when referring to people. Use "relation" for more abstract or static connections, and "relationship" for dynamic or interpersonal links.

Linguistic Context

The word "relation" functions primarily as a noun, referring to the manner in which two or more things are connected, associated, or related. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts such as describing family ties, abstract connections, or relevance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The noun "relation" refers to the way in which two or more things are connected. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in News & Media contexts. While "relation" can sometimes be used interchangeably with "relationship", it's important to consider the nuances of each word to ensure clarity. Using "relation" correctly enhances your writing, especially when describing connections in an objective and well-defined manner. Alternatives like "connection", "link", or "association" can also be considered depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

connection

Focuses more on a direct link or association.

relationship

Emphasizes a bond or link, often involving mutual interaction.

link

Highlights a connecting element or tie.

association

Suggests a less direct or formal connection.

correlation

Implies a statistical or causal link between two variables.

correspondence

Highlights a similarity or analogy between two things.

interrelation

Emphasizes the mutual connection and dependence.

tie

Indicates a bond or link, often emotional or social.

nexus

Suggests a crucial link or network of connections.

bearing

Implies relevance or influence on something else.

FAQs

How to use "relation" in a sentence?

You can use "relation" to describe the way in which two or more things are connected, like "The "relation between" diet and health is complex". It can also refer to a family member, as in, "He is a distant relation of mine".

What's the difference between "relation" and "relationship"?

"Relation" generally denotes a connection or association, while "relationship" often implies a more interactive or involved connection, especially between people. "Relation" can also specifically refer to a family member.

What can I say instead of "relation"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "connection", "relationship", "link", or "association". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in relation to"?

Yes, the phrase "in relation to" is a common and correct way to indicate a connection or relevance, as in "The investigation is in relation to the unauthorized access of restricted data".