relative to doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relative to doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something in relation to an action or activity. Example: "The findings of the study are relative to doing more research in this area."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It's more socially responsible, and thus more ethical (relative to doing the opposite).

The New York Times - Magazine

The difference between these two simulations represented the population-level health gain (healthy life years [HLYs] gained) from the intervention, relative to doing nothing.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

In study [ 49], voluntary reduction in salt by the industry (15%) was found to be very cost-effective; and a legislated 30% reduction in salt in industry also ranged from cost-effective to very cost-effective, relative to doing nothing.

Globalization and Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Or, as you're likely to be otherwise engaged on the day, get a friend or relative to do it for you.

Independent

And as for the king's much-praised decision to give women the right to vote, most reports have omitted the fact that they will need the permission of a male relative to do so.

The Guardian - Opinion

AB 1014 pays lip service to the worry that a relative may try to falsely accuse a person or convince a relative to do so.

Huffington Post

They were then asked to rate the intensity of d1 relative to do using a 9-point bipolar scale as shown in figure S2.

Plosone

Ask a relative to do it.

WikiHow

If not, ask a friend or relative to do it for you or show you how.

WikiHow

Ask a friend or relative to do it for you if you can't get your hair to be even.

WikiHow

She said she planned to vote for Mr. Kerry and to urge her relatives to do the same.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "relative to doing", ensure that the comparison is clear and that the context provides a basis for understanding the relationship between the elements being compared. It's often used to assess the cost-effectiveness of an action versus inaction or another action.

Common error

A common mistake is failing to establish a clear baseline or point of comparison. Always specify what the action or situation is being compared to when using "relative to doing" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relative to doing" functions as a prepositional phrase, modifying a verb or noun by indicating a relationship or comparison to a specific action. This is supported by the Ludwig AI, which confirms its correct grammatical usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "relative to doing" is a prepositional phrase used to draw comparisons, primarily in formal and scientific contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While not exceedingly common, it serves to contextualize actions by contrasting them with alternatives or inactions, primarily to justify decisions or assess effectiveness. When using the phrase, ensure a clear and defined point of reference to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "compared to doing" or "in relation to doing" may be used based on desired formality and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compared to doing

Replaces "relative to" with "compared to", emphasizing a direct comparison.

in comparison to doing

Similar to "compared to", this emphasizes a comparative perspective.

in relation to doing

Substitutes "relative to" with "in relation to", providing a slightly more formal tone.

regarding doing

Uses "regarding" instead of "relative to", focusing on the action being considered.

with respect to doing

Offers a more formal alternative, highlighting the specific aspect of the action.

in contrast to doing

Emphasizes the difference between doing something and another action.

as opposed to doing

Highlights a contrast between doing something and another option.

versus doing

A more concise way to indicate a contrast or comparison.

in terms of doing

Focuses on evaluating something based on the performance of an action.

considering doing

Shifts the focus to the act of considering an action, rather than a direct comparison.

FAQs

How do I use "relative to doing" in a sentence?

Use "relative to doing" when you want to compare the effects or outcomes of one action against another. For example: "The cost of this intervention is minimal "relative to doing" nothing."

What are some alternatives to "relative to doing"?

Alternatives include "compared to doing", "in relation to doing", or "with respect to doing", depending on the desired level of formality and specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "relative to doing" formal or informal?

"Relative to doing" is generally considered formal and is suitable for academic, professional, and news contexts. It's less common in casual conversation.

Which is correct, "relative to doing" or "in comparison to do"?

"Relative to doing" and "in comparison to doing" are both grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Relative to doing" implies a more general comparison, while "in comparison to doing" specifically highlights the act of comparing. An example is: "Voluntary reduction in salt by the industry was found to be very cost-effective "relative to doing" nothing." and you would use the other phrase if you explicitly mention to what you are comparing.