relative about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relative about" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not a standard expression and may confuse readers due to its ambiguity. Example: "He was relative about the situation, which made it hard to understand his perspective."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Closest relative about 60 miles away.

The New York Times

Everything is relative about the World Cup.

The New York Times - Sports

At the house, Mr. Wood bragged to a relative about the robbery.

The New York Times

One man, who was overheard talking to a relative about the attack, was taken to a military intelligence prison.

The Guardian

The woman is understood to have made the discovery while visiting the grave of a relative about a week ago.

Independent

We had to dash across Colorado, but we'd learned from a relative about two quick, spectacular detours off Interstate 70 onto the older, roughly parallel Route 6.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

He talked to the relatives about their 30-year battle for justice.

The Guardian

Among the women with plenty of female relatives, about 5percentt had BRCA gene mutations.

The New York Times - Health

Indeed, she speaks her mind and orders her relatives about without fear of contradiction.

The New York Times

"When I heard from my relatives about floods my heart sank.

The Guardian

But it did not say anything about telling relatives about the fate of a deceased.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "relative about" in your writing. Opt for more grammatically sound alternatives such as "regarding" or "concerning" when discussing relatives or related topics.

Common error

A common error is using "about" incorrectly after "relative". Instead, use prepositions like "to", "of", or "regarding" to maintain grammatical correctness. For example, instead of "relative about", use "related to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relative about" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It does not serve a clear grammatical function and is not recognized as a valid construction, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

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Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "relative about" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal and informal writing. Ludwig AI confirms that it's not a standard English construction. Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "related to", "regarding relatives", or "concerning family members" to ensure clarity and accuracy in your writing. As confirmed by Ludwig, using the correct prepositions and phrasing enhances the effectiveness and credibility of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding relatives

Focuses specifically on the topic of relatives but with a more precise preposition.

concerning relatives

Emphasizes the topic of relatives using a different preposition.

in relation to family

Rephrases the concept using "in relation to" for a slightly more formal tone and specifies family.

pertaining to relatives

Uses a more formal and specific prepositional phrase.

with respect to relatives

Introduces a formal perspective, indicating careful consideration of relatives.

concerning family members

Similar meaning, using "family members" instead of "relatives" for clarity.

regarding family

A more general term, using "family" instead of "relatives".

in connection with family

Expresses a link or association with family matters.

with reference to kin

Employs a more formal and less common synonym for relatives.

in terms of relations

Offers a broader perspective, focusing on relationships in general.

FAQs

What prepositions can I use after "relative"?

Common and correct prepositions to use after "relative" include "to", as in "related "to"", or, in some contexts, "of". Avoid using "about".

Is the phrase "relative about" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "relative about" is not grammatically correct. It's best to use alternative phrases such as "related "to"" or "concerning relatives".

What can I say instead of "relative about"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "related "to"", "regarding relatives", or "concerning family members".

When should I use "related to" instead of "relative about"?

Always use "related "to"" instead of "relative about", as the latter is not standard English. "Related to" indicates a connection or association between things.