relation which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relation which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific relationship or connection between two or more entities, often in a formal or academic context. Example: "The study explores the relation which exists between economic growth and environmental sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But consider again (Relation), which relates Dara and the property of swimming in (Fact).

SEP

The dispersion relation which relates wave speed and wavenumber is obtained in explicit form.

International Journal of Solids and Structures

Arrhenius suggested the famous relation which relates the temperature dependence on the rate of the reaction [23, 24].

International Journal of Industrial Chemistry

One's very selfhood depends upon this repetition, for according to Anti-Climacus, the self "is a relation which relates itself to itself" (The Sickness Unto Death).

SEP

Therefore, in order to maintain itself as a relation which relates itself to itself, the self must constantly renew its faith in "the power which posited it".

SEP

Second is the mass luminosity relation, which relates the luminosity L and the mass M. Finally, the relationship between M and R is close to linear.

Wikipedia

PF judgments are relational in character: they point out a relation which holds between the consideration r and doing a. (We could call that relation the "favoring" relation).

SEP

Although multiple locations can be identified to relate to one event-predicate, all of these locations possess the same relation, which is "occur in".

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

One is Jamonería Díaz — no relation — which is a 150- or 200-square-foot tapas bar with cured ham legs hanging from the ceiling.

The New York Times - Travel

But in American politics many sons — and some daughters — have exploited the benefit of blood relation, which is no more (and arguably less) earned.

The New York Times

Quality, In philosophy, a property that applies to things taken singly, in contrast to a relation, which applies to things taken in pairs, triples, etc.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "relation which", ensure that the relative pronoun "which" clearly refers to a specific preceding noun. Maintaining clarity in this reference will improve sentence structure.

Common error

Avoid using "relation which" in simple sentences where a more direct phrasing like "relationship that" or even a single adjective could convey the same meaning more efficiently. Simplicity often enhances clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relation which" functions as a relative clause introducing further information about a preceding noun, typically a type of relationship, connection, or association. This phrase helps to specify or elaborate on the nature of the relationship being discussed. Ludwig AI shows many examples where this construction is used in academic and scientific writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "relation which" is a grammatically correct construct used to introduce relative clauses that elaborate on a preceding noun, most often in formal or academic contexts. Ludwig AI analysis shows that it functions to specify a particular relationship and provide additional details. While alternatives like "relationship that" exist, "relation which" maintains a formal tone that is suitable for scientific, encyclopedic, and news contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig, while correct, consider whether a simpler alternative might improve clarity in less formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relationship that

Changes the noun from "relation" to "relationship" and uses "that" instead of "which" as the relative pronoun. This alternative is slightly more common in everyday language.

connection that

Replaces "relation" with "connection", offering a more general term for association, while still using "that".

link that

Substitutes "relation" with "link", suggesting a direct association, and uses "that" as the relative pronoun.

association that

Uses "association" instead of "relation", implying a less formal connection. "That" replaces "which".

the relation whereby

Replaces "which" with "whereby", indicating a means or process by which the relationship exists. This is more formal.

the connection in which

Uses "connection" for "relation" and "in which" to rephrase the relative clause, providing a slightly more verbose but still correct alternative.

the tie that

Replaces "relation" with "tie", suggesting a binding connection, and uses "that".

the correlation that

Employs "correlation" instead of "relation", implying a statistical relationship, and uses "that".

the interdependence that

Substitutes "relation" with "interdependence", highlighting mutual dependence. Uses "that" instead of "which".

the bond that

Uses "bond" instead of "relation", suggesting a strong and lasting connection, and uses "that".

FAQs

How can I use "relation which" in a sentence?

The phrase "relation which" is used to introduce a relative clause that describes a particular relationship. For example, "The study explores the "relation which" exists between X and Y."

What are some alternatives to using "relation which"?

You can use alternatives such as "relationship that", "connection that", or simply rephrase the sentence for clarity.

Is it always necessary to use "which" after "relation"?

No, "which" is only necessary when you are introducing a relative clause. Sometimes, you can use "that" or rephrase the sentence entirely to avoid the need for a relative pronoun.

What is the difference between "relation which" and "relationship that"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably in many contexts, ""relation which"" is often perceived as slightly more formal than "relationship that".