relatively free

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'relatively free' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is not entirely free, but more so than something else. For example: "The public park is relatively free—there is no charge for parking and admission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are relatively free.

The New York Times

Egypt also has a relatively free press.

The Economist

Everywhere, the press is only relatively free.

The New Yorker

David Cameron has a relatively free hand.

The Guardian - Opinion

The environment is relatively free of pollution.

The New York Times

I'm relatively free of embarrassment I think!

Independent

In contrast, executives are relatively free to hedge stock.

Columbia University

Now we are relatively free from outside criticism.

Yale University

France's relationship with Senegal seems relatively free of bitterness.

The New York Times - Sports

"They're relatively free to fabricate their own version of officialdom".

The New York Times

He seems relatively free from all that genre material".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "relatively free" when comparing the degree of freedom between two or more things, highlighting that one has more freedom than the other but isn't entirely unrestrained.

Common error

Avoid using "relatively free" when something is completely free. The phrase implies a comparison and a degree of limitation. If there are no restrictions at all, simply use "free".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively free" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that the noun possesses a certain degree of freedom when compared to others. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "relatively free" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something that has more freedom than something else, but isn't entirely unrestrained. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage across various contexts. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, the phrase appears frequently in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Academia. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the comparison being made and avoid overstating the degree of freedom. Alternatives include "fairly unrestricted", "moderately liberated", and "somewhat independent", each offering a slightly different emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

comparatively unrestricted

Similar to 'relatively free', it emphasizes the comparison against something less free.

significantly freer

Implies a noticeable increase in freedom compared to a previous state.

substantially uninhibited

Emphasizes the lack of constraints on action or expression.

fairly unrestricted

Emphasizes the lack of limitations rather than a degree of freedom.

largely unconstrained

Highlights a lack of imposed restrictions.

moderately liberated

Highlights a state of being freed to a certain extent.

reasonably autonomous

Stresses the self-governing aspect of freedom.

somewhat independent

Focuses on autonomy but implies it's not complete.

partially exempt

Suggests freedom from a specific obligation or rule, not general freedom.

quite unbound

Suggests a lack of ties or obligations but in a more metaphorical way.

FAQs

How can I use "relatively free" in a sentence?

You can use "relatively free" to describe something that has more freedom than something else, but isn't entirely without limitations. For example, "Compared to other nations, the press in this country is "relatively free"".

What are some alternatives to saying "relatively free"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "fairly unrestricted", "moderately liberated", or "somewhat independent".

Is it correct to say something is "relatively free" if it's completely unrestricted?

No, "relatively free" implies a comparison and some degree of limitation. If something is entirely unrestricted, it's more accurate to simply say it's "free".

What's the difference between "relatively free" and "completely free"?

"Relatively free" suggests more freedom than something else, but not total freedom. "Completely free" means there are no restrictions whatsoever. For example, a "relatively free market" still has some regulations, while a completely free market would have none.