this pertains to

USAGE SUMMARY

"this pertains to" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate what part of the conversation you are talking about or when something is connected or relevant to something else. For example: "This study pertains to the effects of climate change in California."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Andrew, I think this pertains to the January News Feed change.

The New Yorker

There is no more dangerous illusion than the fancies by which people try to avoid illusion, and nothing more shocking than discovering that this pertains to you.

The Guardian - Books

How this pertains to making new friends, I have no idea (eliminating enemies?), but it is a truth universally acknowledged that shadows are awesome.

The New York Times - Books

If this pertains to you, we encourage you to complete the application to the best of your ability and to include a supplemental statement that explains your circumstances.

Harvard University

This showed high vasopressor requirement caused the longest interruption, however this pertains to only 2 patients.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Can you see how this pertains to us?

Huffington Post

Even if you're not an underwater homeowner, this pertains to you because American taxpayers -- through the government's conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- own or guarantee roughly 60% of the outstanding mortgages in America.

Huffington Post

In particular this pertains to fellow civilians, and the countless active duty, reserve, and retired Marines of all ranks from around the world who have remained in contact with and reached out to me, often risking their own careers in the process.

Huffington Post

However, this pertains to any kind of data linkage and is not an intrinsic problem of the proposed method.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Thus, the likelihood of detecting a change in overall risk can be expected to be higher when exposure is to several solvents, and this pertains to our study.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

If you are an adolescent then this pertains to you mostly.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this pertains to" to clearly establish the relevance of a statement or piece of information to the topic at hand. It ensures that your audience understands the connection between different ideas.

Common error

Avoid using "this pertains to" excessively, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "this relates to" or "this applies to" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this pertains to" functions as a connector, linking a preceding statement or situation to a subsequent explanation or detail. It serves to clarify the relevance or applicability of the following information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's commonly used to indicate relevance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

28%

Science

28%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this pertains to" is a phrase used to indicate relevance or connection between different pieces of information. It is grammatically correct and commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, according to Ludwig. While the phrase itself is useful for creating clarity and understanding, it's important to use it sparingly to avoid redundancy in writing. It finds common use in contexts like News & Media and Science. Remember to consider alternatives like "this relates to" or "this applies to" to add variety to your writing and maintain reader engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this relates to

Indicates a connection or association, similar to "pertains to" but with a slightly broader scope.

this applies to

Suggests that something is relevant or applicable in a specific situation, focusing on the practical application of a concept.

this concerns

Highlights the relevance of something to a particular topic or person, emphasizing a sense of importance or worry.

this refers to

Directly points to a specific subject or idea, indicating that the discussion is about that particular thing.

this is relevant to

Emphasizes the importance of something in a particular context, indicating that it has a significant connection or impact.

this is connected to

Highlights the association or link between two or more things, suggesting a relationship or interdependence.

this is associated with

Indicates a correlation or connection, often implying a statistical or causal relationship.

this bears on

Suggests that something has an influence or impact on a particular issue, often implying a significant effect.

this has a bearing on

Similar to "bears on", emphasizing that something has relevance or influence on a specific matter.

this is germane to

Highlights that something is relevant and appropriate to a particular situation or discussion, emphasizing its direct connection.

FAQs

How can I use "this pertains to" in a sentence?

Use "this pertains to" to indicate that something is relevant or connected to a specific topic. For example, "This research pertains to the effects of climate change on coastal ecosystems."

What are some alternatives to "this pertains to"?

You can use alternatives like "this relates to", "this applies to", or "this concerns" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "this pertains to" in formal writing?

Yes, "this pertains to" is suitable for formal writing, especially when clarifying the relevance of information. It is commonly found in academic, scientific, and professional contexts.

What is the difference between "this pertains to" and "this refers to"?

"This pertains to" suggests a broader relevance or connection, while "this refers to" is more direct and specific, indicating that something is explicitly about a particular subject.