the relation

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence The phrase 'the relation' is perfectly usable in written English and is quite a common part of the English language.
For example, you could say "The relation between the two countries is fragile and could easily be broken".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"The relation between me and my board is fantastic.

The Guardian - Sport

Another difference is the relation of the firm to regulators.

The New York Times

The relation between work, marriage and play was perfectly arranged.

The Guardian - Books

The relation of race to class is also explored.

The New York Times

In her case, the relation could not be clearer.

The New York Times - Health

The relation, they thought, has to do with their grandmothers.

The New York Times - Sports

What is the relation between love and jealousy?

The New Yorker

What would the relation of each to each be?

The New Yorker

It teaches us about the relation of instance to form.

The New Yorker

And considered as the relation between these mutable things, the relation is "time".

Encyclopedia Britannica

The relation of cause to its effect.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing abstract concepts, use "the relation" to denote a formal or defined association. For more general or informal contexts, consider alternatives like "the connection" or "the link".

Common error

Avoid using "the relation" in casual conversations or informal writing where simpler terms like "the connection" or "the link" would be more appropriate. The formality of "the relation" can sometimes sound stilted in everyday speech.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the relation" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It commonly serves to introduce or highlight a connection, association, or link between two or more entities or concepts. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is often used to specify a particular relationship under consideration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "the relation" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase, most frequently found in science, news, and encyclopedic sources. According to Ludwig, it functions to highlight a connection or association between entities or concepts, with a register that is generally formal and scientific. When choosing alternatives, consider the context: "the connection", "the link", and "the relationship" offer varying degrees of formality and specificity. While "the relation" is versatile, avoid overusing it in informal contexts. The best practice is to reserve it for situations requiring precision and a formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the connection

Replaces "relation" with a synonym emphasizing a link or bond.

the link

Similar to "connection", but often implies a more direct or tangible association.

the relationship

A more formal and elaborate term for "relation", highlighting the nature of interaction.

the association

Focuses on the act of linking things together in the mind or in reality.

the correlation

Specifically indicates a mutual relationship or connection, often statistical.

the correspondence

Suggests a similarity or analogy between two things.

the interdependence

Highlights the mutual dependence between entities.

the bearing

Emphasizes the influence or relevance of one thing on another.

the effect

Focuses on the result or consequence of a particular cause.

the impact

Similar to "effect" but can also suggest a forceful or significant influence.

FAQs

How can I use "the relation" in a sentence?

Use "the relation" to describe a specific connection or association between two or more things. For instance, "The study examines "the relation" between diet and health."

What can I say instead of "the relation"?

You can use alternatives like "the connection", "the link", or "the relationship" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "the relation" instead of "the relationship"?

"The relation" is often used in more formal or technical contexts, while "the relationship" is more common in general usage. "The relation" can imply a more defined or mathematical association.

What's the difference between "the relation" and "the correlation"?

"The relation" generally refers to any kind of association or connection. "The correlation" specifically refers to a statistical measure of the extent to which two variables are linearly related, indicating a mutual relationship or connection.