relative to control

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relative to control" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to compare two different things or situations with each other. For example, "The rate of growth this quarter was higher relative to control."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Depolarization increases these differences relative to control.

Nature

Results are shown relative to control organoids in ENR medium.

Nature

Values were normalized to HPRT mRNA and are expressed relative to control (n = 10 per group).

Nature

The percentage of the sample absorbance relative to control treated cells absorbance gave the % metabolic activity.

Nature

Dashed lines indicates the 20% fold change relative to control (cutoff).

Nature

Data are shown as fold change relative to control and s.e.m.m

Nature

Values were normalized to Tbp mRNA and are expressed relative to control (n = 3).

Nature

*P<0.05, **P<0.01 (n=5) relative to control calculated by Student's t-test.

Nature

Dashed lines indicates the 20% fold change relative to control (cutoff limit, see Supplementary Information).

Nature

Dashed lines indicates the 10% fold change relative to control (cutoff).

Nature

Results are expressed relative to control values of untreated control cells grown in the same medium.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "relative to control", ensure your control group is clearly defined and consistently applied across your experiment or analysis for accurate comparisons.

Common error

Avoid using "relative to control" without explicitly stating what constitutes the control group. Ambiguity in the control definition can invalidate your comparisons.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relative to control" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause. It provides a context for comparison, indicating that a measurement or observation is being evaluated in relation to a baseline or standard (the control). Ludwig AI confirms its proper use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

72%

Academia

16%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

News & Media

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relative to control" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to establish a comparative baseline in research and analysis. Predominantly found in scientific and academic contexts, as supported by Ludwig AI, it serves to provide clarity and standardization when reporting results. The most frequent sources using this phrase are scientific publications. When using "relative to control", define your control group and avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compared to control

Replaces "relative to" with a more direct comparative term, implying a side-by-side assessment.

in comparison to control

Highlights the act of comparing, emphasizing the examination of differences between conditions.

with respect to control

Shifts the focus to considering the control as a reference point, suitable for detailed analyses.

in relation to control

Indicates a proportional or correlative connection to the control group.

assessed against control

Emphasizes the evaluation process using the control as a benchmark.

normalized to control

Highlights that the data has been adjusted so that the control group is a neutral point

versus control

Presents a direct contrast, simplifying the comparison to an either/or scenario.

as opposed to control

Emphasizes the distinct differences between the experimental condition and the control.

compared with control

Indicates a comparison, subtly suggesting a more in-depth examination than 'compared to'.

in contrast with control

Focuses on highlighting the dissimilarities between what is being observed and the baseline.

FAQs

How to use "relative to control" in a sentence?

You can use "relative to control" to show how a treatment or condition affects a measured outcome compared to a standard, such as: "The drug significantly increased cell growth "relative to control" samples."

What does "relative to control" mean in scientific research?

In scientific research, "relative to control" indicates that the results are being compared to a baseline measurement taken from a control group, which does not receive the experimental treatment. This comparison helps determine the specific effect of the treatment.

Which is more appropriate, "compared to control" or "relative to control"?

"Compared to control" and "relative to control" are often used interchangeably, but "relative to control" may subtly emphasize the proportional change or effect size, while "compared to control" simply denotes a comparison.

What are some alternatives to "relative to control" in data reporting?

Alternatives to "relative to control" include phrases like "in comparison to control", "compared with control", or "in relation to control", which all serve to establish a clear reference point for assessing experimental outcomes.