relative

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'relative' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone in a person's family, such as a parent, aunt, uncle, or cousin. For example, "My father's brother is my relative."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Politics

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Baltimore television station WBAL interviewed a person that it described as a relative of one of the officers in the van.

The Guardian

In their minds they did the right thing," the relative replied, adding that the subsequent backlash hurt the officers "more than anything".

The Guardian

This indirect electoral maths suggests that Ukip's outsize influence on the national debate (relative to their parliamentary presence) could be set to continue as the major parties seek to fend off the threat in their key marginal constituencies.

The Guardian

We set out to see if you can get a taste of Tassie's wilderness in relative comfort over the course of a weekend.

The Guardian - Travel

Inside the church, there is a memorial on stained glass to a relative of mine.

The Guardian

But the relative isolation this harsh landscape affords also means the fishing villages, hill villages and maritime towns built on and under these slopes have been able to hold on to their charm and beauty as stubbornly as they've clung on to the mountains on which they're so precariously built.

The Guardian - Travel

Aleksandr Kokorin Only 23 and a relative newcomer to the international stage, the Dynamo Moscow player has emerged as first-choice striker under Fabio Capello and is expected to retain that position in Brazil at the expense of the experienced Aleksandr Kerzhakov.

The Guardian - Sport

The relative crudeness of the work suggested until now that the works were copies, but research published in the magazine Sapiens by the architect David Agulló and the geologist Daniel Barbé shows that they pre-date Gaudí's signature buildings and were in fact prototypes for features in Park Güell, the Sagrada Familia and the nearby Colònia Güell, all of which Gaudí was working on at the time.

The Guardian

The map below shows in which regions in England and Wales have the partnerships been most popular since 2008 relative to the number of people living there.

The Guardian

The relative complacency of the British, on the other hand, is also culturally determined.

The Guardian - Tech

At around 10am last Wednesday, Abdouramane Koungoulba, the duty paediatrician at the Fousseyni Dao hospital in Kayes, western Mali, examined a young patient who had been brought in by a relative.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to family members, be clear if you mean a close or distant "relative" to provide better context.

Common error

Avoid using "relative" when an absolute term is more appropriate. "Relative" implies comparison or dependence, while an absolute term stands alone. For example, instead of saying 'The temperature is relatively hot', specify what it's hot compared to.

Linguistic Context

The word "relative" serves as both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, it modifies nouns to indicate a relationship or comparison. As a noun, it identifies a person connected by kinship. Ludwig AI validates these usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Travel

15%

Politics

10%

Less common in

Sport

10%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relative" functions effectively as both an adjective and a noun, conveying relationships and comparisons across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility. Its frequency in news and media suggests its widespread applicability. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying the points of comparison when using "relative" in a comparative sense, and choose between "relative" and absolute terms based on whether you intend to indicate a connection or a standalone attribute. As the analysis reveals, mastering the nuances of "relative" enhances precision and clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in relation to

Expresses how one thing is considered in connection with something else.

related

Emphasizes the connection or association between two or more things.

relevant

Highlights the importance or significance of something.

comparative

Focuses on the comparison aspect, highlighting how something is measured against something else.

in comparison with

Specifically indicates the act of comparing two or more things.

pertinent

Emphasizes the relevance of something to a particular matter.

with respect to

Indicates a specific aspect or point of view being considered.

dependent

Highlights the reliance of one thing on another.

proportional

Suggests a direct relationship in scale or degree.

conditional

Implies that something is subject to certain conditions or requirements.

FAQs

How is "relative" used as a noun?

As a noun, "relative" refers to a person connected by blood, marriage, or adoption. For example, "My aunt is a "family member" and therefore a relative".

What is the difference between "relative" and "relevant"?

"Relative" implies a comparison or connection to something else, while "relevant" means directly related to the matter at hand. Something "pertinent" is important and applicable, while something "comparative" is being assessed in relation to another thing.

How do I use "relative" to describe a position?

When describing a position, "relative" indicates that the position is being described in relation to something else, not absolutely. For example, "The town is in a "comparative location" to the mountains".

What are some common synonyms for "relative" as an adjective?

Common synonyms for "relative" when used as an adjective include "comparative", "dependent", and "related". The best choice depends on the specific context.