relent on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "relent on" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct expression is "relent in" or "relent from." Example: "After much negotiation, the company finally relented in their demands."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They did relent on that one.

Huffington Post

Yet the Government insists that this was a one-off case and has refused so far to relent on their myopic stance.

Independent

For one thing, it's up to the directors, not the executives, to relent on the "film by" credit.

The New York Times

First, don't relent on counter-terrorism.

The Economist

No sign yet that the Fund will relent on the remaining 5%.

The Economist

The British government, however, is refusing to relent on its safety concerns.

The New Yorker

Rather, they are likely to relent on Mr. Jones and save their energy for a bigger fight over Mr. Watt.

The New York Times

Calls on the European Parliament to relent on PNR have grown louder since France's Charlie Hebdo attacks.

The Economist

If you can persuade your fellow Democrats to rein in entitlements, Mr Boehner may convince Republicans to relent on taxes.

The Economist

He should relent on this for the sake of the people of Tadcaster and allow us to build this bridge".

The Guardian

He now accepts that he has no prospect of persuading Van Gaal to relent on his decision to banish him to the fringes.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "relent on" is frequently used, especially in news media, consider using more grammatically accepted alternatives like "relent in", "relent from", or phrases like "give in to" or "back down from" for clearer and more accurate communication.

Common error

Avoid using "on" after "relent". The correct prepositions are "in" or "from". For example, instead of "relent on their demands", use "relent in their demands" or "relent from their demands". Alternatively, rephrase using "give in to" or "back down from".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "relent on" functions as a phrasal verb, typically used to describe the action of ceasing to resist or oppose something. However, Ludwig AI indicates this usage is not considered standard English. The phrase is often found describing political or strategic shifts in news contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "relent on" is frequently encountered, especially within News & Media. Ludwig AI analysis suggests this usage is grammatically incorrect and the suggestion is to prefer "relent in" or "relent from". Common alternatives include "back down" and "give in", offering semantically similar options with improved grammatical standing. While prevalent in certain contexts, writers should exercise caution and prioritize grammatical correctness in formal communication. Thus, even if frequently used, the phrase "relent on" should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

back down

Implies withdrawing from a position or demand, often under pressure.

give in

Suggests surrendering or yielding to pressure or persuasion.

yield

Indicates a formal agreement to surrender or concede something.

compromise

Implies reaching an agreement through mutual concessions.

capitulate

Suggests a complete and unconditional surrender.

cave in

Indicates reluctantly agreeing to something after initial resistance.

acquiesce

Implies accepting something without protest, often unwillingly.

concede

Indicates admitting something is true or valid after initially denying or resisting it.

defer

Suggests submitting to another's wishes or judgment.

withdraw

Implies retracting a statement or position.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "relent on"?

No, while commonly used, "relent on" is considered grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is "relent in" or "relent from". Consider using "back down" or "give in" as alternatives.

What are some alternatives to "relent on"?

Alternatives include phrases like "back down", "give in", or "compromise". The choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "relent on" or "relent in"?

"Relent in" is the grammatically correct form. Although "relent on" is frequently used, it's advisable to use "relent in" or rephrase the sentence for better clarity. You may also use "relent from", but it's less common.

In what contexts might I encounter "relent on"?

You're most likely to encounter "relent on" in news articles and media reports, where it's a frequently used, albeit grammatically questionable, phrase. However, in formal writing, it's best to opt for "relent in" or other alternatives.