relationship to

USAGE SUMMARY

'relationship to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the connection or association between two or more people or things. For example: "The professor has a close relationship to her students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

His relationship to Mr. Takazato was unclear.

The New York Times

What was Tony's relationship to Arendt?

The New Yorker

I have a tricky relationship to mothering.

The New York Times

What is your relationship to Hawaii now?

The New Yorker

They bear almost no relationship to risk.

The Economist

Einstein's relationship to Israel was complex.

The New York Times

What's his relationship to the characters?

The New Yorker

(An appropriate relationship to a deity).

The New Yorker

have little relationship to past horrors.

The New York Times

Just one more new relationship to build.

The New York Times - Sports

What is your relationship to Candidate X?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "relationship to", clearly specify both entities being related to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "the relationship to the project", specify "the employee's relationship to the project".

Common error

Be mindful of the preposition. "Relationship to" typically implies a connection or relevance, while "relationship with" usually refers to interpersonal connections. Using the wrong preposition can alter the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relationship to" functions as a prepositional phrase, establishing a connection or association between two entities. It indicates how something relates or pertains to something else, as highlighted by Ludwig's examples. It often introduces a noun phrase specifying the object of the relationship.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

16%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "relationship to" is a very common prepositional phrase used to establish a connection or association between two entities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. While it maintains a neutral formality, its use is especially frequent in news and media, science, and wiki sources. When writing, ensure you specify both entities to avoid ambiguity. For alternative expressions, consider "connection with", "association with", or "link to" based on the context. Pay attention to the distinction between "relationship to" and "relationship with" to avoid miscommunication. Understanding these nuances ensures clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relation to

Similar to "relationship to" but can be more formal or technical.

connection with

Focuses on the link or bond, often implying a direct association.

association with

Highlights the connection, emphasizing a formal or informal link.

link to

Emphasizes a direct connection or pathway between two things.

tie to

Implies a strong bond or connection, often suggesting dependence or restriction.

relevance to

Focuses on the importance or pertinence of something to a particular topic or situation.

impact on

Highlights the effect or influence that something has on another.

bearing on

Highlights the influence or impact that something has on a particular issue.

dependence on

Focuses on how something relies on or is affected by something else.

correlation with

Emphasizes a statistical or causal link between two variables.

FAQs

How can I use "relationship to" in a sentence?

Use "relationship to" to describe the connection, association, or relevance between two or more entities. For example: "What is your "relationship to" the project?". It highlights the nature of the link between them.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "relationship to"?

Alternatives include "connection with", "association with", "link to", or "relevance to", depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "relationship to" and "relationship with"?

"Relationship to" generally describes the connection or relevance between entities or concepts. "Relationship with" typically refers to interpersonal connections or interactions. For example, "Her "relationship to" the data was unclear", versus "Her "relationship with" her boss was strained".

How does the context influence the choice of "relationship to" versus alternatives?

In formal or technical contexts, "relationship to" is often suitable for describing connections between concepts or objects. In more casual or interpersonal contexts, alternatives like "connection with" or "association with" might be more appropriate. If you're referring to emotional bonds or interactions with people then you should use "relationship with".