relative that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relative that" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It is typically used in contexts discussing relationships or comparisons, but it is better to use more established phrases. Example: "The relative that I admire the most is my grandmother."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Mexico is like a relative that isn't there," he said.

The New York Times

Relative, that is, to the three parvenus who have displaced him from the top of the UK rich list.

The Guardian - Opinion

Similar slow progress has occurred at the project in Mexico, where scientists started by crossing corn with tripsacum, a wild relative that was naturally apomictic.

The New York Times - Science

The citrange is itself a hybrid of orange and poncirus, an inedible citrus relative that grows as far north as New York City.

The New York Times - Style

Dr. Hanna crossed pearl millet, a crop used mostly for cattle in the United States but grown for human food in Africa and India, with a wild relative that is naturally apomictic.

The New York Times - Science

The bizarre configuration had led to the "rather remarkable conclusion that we have just met a new species of human relative that deliberately disposed of its dead," Berger told his audience.

The New Yorker

Having a first-degree relative that suffers from migraine may influence the habituation in controls [82].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

The scientists built an electronic backpack (that they are saying is low-cost, but it's all relative) that contains a micro controller, a wireless receiver and a transmitter.

Huffington Post

Everyone wants to lay claim to a relative that was pro-civil rights, but relatives who were segregationists....not very cool.

Huffington Post

For example, when an elderly parent needs care, almost 80percentt of the time it's a woman (a daughter, sister or relative) that ends up either arranging home care or doing the caregiving herself.

Huffington Post

These are your words, sir, on the subject of abortion: 'Many, many years ago, I had a dear, close family relative that was very close to me who passed away from an illegal abortion.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to non-human entities (though less common), ensure that "relative that" is appropriate; otherwise, rephrase for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "relative that" excessively in academic or professional writing. Opt for "relative who" or "relative which" to maintain a polished and professional tone. Overusing "relative that" might make the writing sound less sophisticated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relative that" functions as a relative clause introducing additional information about a noun (the relative). It connects a relative pronoun to a clause that describes or identifies a family member or relation, though Ludwig AI notes the potential for clearer alternatives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

23%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relative that" is a frequently used phrase functioning as a relative clause to specify a family member. However, Ludwig AI and grammatical convention suggest that "relative who" is often a clearer and more formal alternative when referring to people. The phrase appears most commonly in news, science, and wiki contexts, maintaining a neutral register. While not strictly incorrect, being mindful of context and choosing the most precise wording enhances clarity and professionalism. To avoid overuse in writing be sure to consider using "relative who".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relative who

Specifies a person and is generally preferred in formal writing when referring to a relative.

relative which

Used to refer to a non-human relative, if applicable, or in less formal contexts.

family member that

More explicit and emphasizes the family connection.

relation that

A more formal synonym for "relative that".

family relation that

Combines 'family' and 'relation' for added emphasis.

kinsman that

An older, more formal term for a male relative.

kinswoman that

An older, more formal term for a female relative.

ancestor that

Refers specifically to a relative from a past generation.

descendant that

Refers to a relative in a future generation.

someone in the family who

A more descriptive way to refer to a family member, often used when specifying a trait or condition.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "relative that"?

"Relative that" is generally acceptable but is often better replaced by "relative who" when referring to people for improved clarity. It can be used more broadly but may sound less formal.

What are some alternatives to "relative that" when referring to a family member?

Alternatives include "relative who", "family member who", or "relation that", depending on the level of formality and desired emphasis.

Is "relative that" grammatically incorrect?

No, "relative that" is not strictly grammatically incorrect, but it's often considered less refined than "relative who" when referring to people. Its acceptability often depends on the specific context and style of writing.

How can I improve my sentence if I've used "relative that"?

Review the sentence and consider if replacing "relative that" with "relative who" would make it clearer and more formal. If referring to something other than a person, ensure "that" is the most appropriate choice.