relationship to something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relationship to something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing how one thing is connected or related to another, often in contexts like psychology, sociology, or personal experiences. Example: "Her relationship to her work has changed significantly since she started her new job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

In some ways, McCain-Feingold would return the dollar-politics relationship to something like what it was in the 1980s.

The Economist

"I hope when this is done we can repair our relationship to something approaching normal," she said.

The Guardian

The phenomenon may be especially appropriate in an era in which everything is defined by its relationship to something else.

The New York Times - Arts

It's only when her husband develops a new love interest (also played by Kangana Ranaut, sporting a fantastic crop this time) that the film veers away from the heady joy of a woman escaping a stale relationship to something more conventional.

The Guardian - Film

"And that means we've got to go from what was clearly a hostile relationship and a whole set of structures that fit a hostile relationship to something that is much more akin to relationships that are natural and normal and understandable and workable between countries that don't consider themselves hostile to each other".

The New York Times

(Virtue-T) and its equivalents certainly seem to convey some information: that a truth-maker is a thing that stands in some significant relationship to something true.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

She can go from something intensely personal – say, the stuff about her mum and the stuff about relationships – to something mystical and purely fantastical, which is a tough one to pull off".

The Guardian

Here we move from meaning relationships to something like a productive relationship to which knowledge about the authors becomes relevant.

SEP

"They fundamentally misunderstand China's relationship to the something something something," he says.

The New York Times - Magazine

Sample conversation: Hi Allison, I really like you a lot and we have been good friends for 3 months and feel a connection between us and would love this relationship to be something special but there is something that you should know about me before we move on.

WikiHow

I don't think it's unusual for a friendship, or any relationship, to mean something different to each person in it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "relationship to something", ensure that the 'something' is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "the project's relationship to strategy", specify "the project's relationship to the overall business strategy".

Common error

Avoid using "relationship to something" when a more specific term would provide greater clarity. For instance, rather than saying "the impact's relationship to the budget", consider using "the impact's effect on the budget" or "the impact's cost to the budget".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relationship to something" functions as a relational phrase, establishing a connection or association between an entity and another object, concept, or idea. It introduces the idea that one thing has a link or bearing on something else. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relationship to something" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for describing connections and associations. Ludwig indicates that it is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. While the phrase is clear, ensure that the 'something' is well-defined to enhance clarity and avoid vagueness. Consider related phrases like "connection to something" or "association with something" to add nuance depending on the intended meaning. This analysis provides a detailed guide to the effective and precise use of the phrase "relationship to something".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relation to something

Direct synonym; implies the way in which two or more concepts, objects, or people are connected.

connection to something

Focuses more directly on the link or bond between two entities.

association with something

Highlights the link by casual interaction, involvement, or belonging.

link to something

Implies a direct and often causal relationship.

tie to something

Suggests a strong bond or dependency.

relevance to something

Emphasizes the importance or pertinence of one thing to another.

bearing on something

Indicates an influence or impact on a particular matter.

correlation with something

Highlights a statistical relationship or pattern.

interdependence with something

Emphasizes mutual reliance or connection.

nexus with something

Implies a complex series of connections.

FAQs

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

You can use "relationship to something" to describe how one thing is connected or related to another. For instance, "The phenomenon may be especially appropriate in an era in which everything is defined by its "relationship to something" else."

What are some alternatives to "relationship to something"?

Alternatives include "connection to something", "association with something", or "link to something", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "relation to something" instead of "relationship to something"?

Yes, "relation to something" is a correct alternative and can be used interchangeably in many contexts, emphasizing the way in which two or more things are connected. The meaning is the same, but "relationship" is more commonly used.

When should I use "relationship to something" vs. "related to something"?

"Relationship to something" emphasizes a specific connection or interaction between two defined entities. "Related to something" is more general and indicates a broader association or relevance, e.g., "issues related to budget".