relative with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relative with" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly when trying to express a familial relationship or connection. Example: "She is a relative with whom I share a close bond."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Jack could use a relative with credentials.

The New York Times

All of the volunteers for DPT-1 have a close relative with the illness.

The New York Times - Health

Caring for an adult relative with severe learning difficulties is hard at the best of times.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yacon (Polymnia sonchifolia) Tall dahlia relative with large triangular leaves.

Independent

In January of this year, he sent an SMS to the wife of a distant relative with political connections.

The Guardian

But Anna has one surviving relative, with whom she is encouraged to make contact, before she makes the irrevocable decision.

The Guardian - Film

But the Fragile X test is typically only offered to women who know of a relative with mental retardation.

The New York Times

Senator Gordon H. Smith, Republican of Oregon, who has a relative with Parkinson's disease, also favors stem cell research.

The New York Times

In fact, the male relative with responsibility over a Saudi woman may be her own adolescent son.

The New Yorker

Having a first-degree relative with it increases the risk by two- to four-fold.

The New York Times

She moved into the home of a relative with whom she had reconnected through Facebook.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "relative of" to correctly indicate a familial relationship. For example, instead of "a relative with dementia," say "a relative of mine with dementia."

Common error

Avoid using "with" to connect "relative" to a condition or characteristic. Use "relative of" for possession or rephrase to "relative who has" for attributes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relative with" functions as a noun phrase, attempting to specify a familial relationship alongside a characteristic or condition. As Ludwig AI points out, it is not grammatically correct in standard English. It is typically used incorrectly when trying to express a familial relationship or connection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

38%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "relative with" appears frequently in various sources, including news and scientific articles, it's considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI analysis indicates the correct phrasing is "relative of" to show a familial connection. When describing a relative's attributes, use constructions like "relative who has" or "relative with whom". To avoid this common error, focus on using "relative of" for relationships and rephrasing to use "who has" or "with whom" when adding descriptors. Remember, while widespread, its use doesn't align with standard English grammar.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relative of

Corrects the grammatical error by using the correct preposition 'of' to denote relationship.

family member of

Replaces "relative" with "family member" for greater clarity, still using 'of' for possession.

related to

Offers a general way to indicate a connection or association, not strictly familial.

kin of

Uses a more formal term, "kin", to express a familial relationship.

a relation to

Similar to 'relative of' but uses the term 'relation' which might sound slightly more formal.

connected to

Indicates a link or association, less specific than a family tie.

in relation to

Emphasizes a comparative or proportional connection.

pertaining to

Highlights relevance or association, broader than family.

regarding

Indicates the topic or subject matter, not a direct relationship.

concerning

Similar to 'regarding', focusing on the subject under discussion.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the word "relative" in a sentence?

Use "relative of" to show a familial connection, as in "a relative of mine". Alternatively, rephrase to use "who has" or "with" when describing attributes, like "a relative who has dementia" or "a relative with whom I am close".

What is a grammatically correct alternative to "relative with"?

The correct phrasing is "relative of". You can also use constructions like "a relative who has" or "a relative with whom" depending on the context.

Is it ever correct to say "relative with"?

While occasionally used, "relative with" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's better to use "relative of" or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

What's the difference between saying "relative of" and "relative with"?

"Relative of" indicates a family relationship, whereas "relative with" is often an incorrect attempt to connect a relative to a condition or attribute. Use constructions like "a relative "who has"" for describing attributes.