relatively safe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relatively safe" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means something is safe compared to other options or situations, but it may still have some level of risk or danger. Example: "Even though traveling to that country may have some risks, it is still relatively safe compared to other countries in the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well, relatively safe.

The New Yorker

Bukavu, though, is relatively safe.

The New York Times

Both drugs are relatively safe.

The New York Times - Health

Thomas's job looks relatively safe.

The New York Times - Sports

The vaccine was effective and relatively safe.

The New Yorker

Until now she has felt relatively safe.

The Guardian

Cities, like Kandahar, remain relatively safe.

The New York Times

Relatively safe seats suddenly become open races.

The Guardian

Wentworth is relatively safe for the Liberals.

The Guardian

It's a relatively safe, execution-based coverage.

The New York Times - Sports

Tylenol has long been considered a relatively safe option.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "relatively safe" to convey a nuanced sense of security; it acknowledges some level of risk while asserting a generally acceptable safety profile.

Common error

Avoid using "relatively safe" when describing situations that are inherently dangerous or have a high probability of harm. This can mislead readers and undermine your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relatively safe" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to indicate a comparative level of safety. As noted by Ludwig, it means something is safe compared to other options or situations, but may still have some risk.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

22%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "relatively safe" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is safer compared to other options or situations, but not entirely without risk. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is frequently used in English writing. As evidenced by the examples, this phrase appears across various contexts like news, science, and academia, showing its versatile nature. While it indicates a certain level of security, it is crucial to provide context or a comparison point to clarify the level of safety being conveyed. To avoid misleading your audience, it's best not to use "relatively safe" in situations where considerable danger is present.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

moderately secure

Emphasizes a limited degree of security rather than a comparison.

reasonably secure

Highlights that the level of security is considered acceptable under the circumstances.

comparatively protected

Focuses on the aspect of being shielded or defended to a higher degree than something else.

somewhat harmless

Shifts the focus from safety to the absence of potential harm, but still in a limited capacity.

fairly risk-free

Highlights the low level of risk involved.

partially secure

Suggests that security is not complete but present to some extent.

passably harmless

Similar to somewhat harmless, but it conveys that the lack of harm is barely sufficient.

marginally safe

Suggests the safety level is just above the threshold of being unsafe.

acceptably secure

Highlights that security standards are met but not exceeded.

adequately protected

Indicates the level of protection is enough for the current demands.

FAQs

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

You can use "relatively safe" to describe something that is safer compared to something else, such as "This neighborhood is "relatively safe" compared to other parts of the city".

What does "relatively safe" mean?

The term "relatively safe" means that something is safe in comparison to other things or situations, but it may still have some risks.

What are some alternatives to "relatively safe"?

Some alternatives to "relatively safe" include "moderately secure", "reasonably safe", or "fairly risk-free" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "relatively safe"?

Yes, it is correct to use "relatively safe". Ludwig AI confirms it is a commonly used phrase in English. It indicates a comparative level of safety rather than absolute safety.