to be relevant to

USAGE SUMMARY

"to be relevant to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to describe the connection or relationship between two things, where one thing is important or significant in relation to the other. Example: "The report findings must be relevant to the overall topic of the research study."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(The mechanism did not appear to be relevant to females).

The New Yorker

They are looking to be relevant, to fit in.

The Washington Post

She added: "SDGs have to be relevant to individuals and meaningful at a local level.

The Guardian

Like any book, every line is not going to be relevant to every person.

The Guardian - Opinion

So it has to be relevant to the twenty first century.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And third, you have to be relevant to those who pay the bills".

The New York Times

"To be relevant to young people, you've got to realize they're always changing.

The New York Times

Phobics, however, instantly look for the cues they perceive to be relevant to their survival.

The Guardian

"I urge you instead to seek to be relevant, to be agile and educated".

The Guardian

"You have to be relevant to the way people live today".

The New York Times

None of the items recovered appeared to be relevant to the investigation, the FBI said.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be relevant to", ensure that the connection between the subject and the object of relevance is clear and specific to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "to be relevant to" in overly general statements where the connection isn't immediately apparent. Instead, provide specific details to illustrate why the subject is important or applicable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be relevant to" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, indicating a relationship of importance or applicability. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase denotes a connection where one element is significant concerning another. Examples across various sources in Ludwig demonstrate its use in establishing connections between different subjects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Academia

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to be relevant to" is a widely used phrase that establishes a meaningful connection between two subjects, signifying importance or applicability. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse communications. To enhance clarity, ensure the connection is explicit, avoiding vague generalizations. Alternatives like "to be applicable to" or "to be pertinent to" can offer nuanced emphasis depending on the context. Remember, the goal is to clearly articulate why something matters and how it connects to the subject at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be applicable to

Focuses on direct applicability rather than general relevance.

to be pertinent to

Emphasizes the direct connection and importance of something to a specific matter.

to be germane to

Highlights a close and appropriate relationship to the matter at hand.

to be related to

Indicates a connection, but lacks the emphasis on significance.

to be significant to

Highlights the importance or consequence for a particular subject or individual.

to be useful to

Focuses on the practical value or utility for a specific purpose or group.

to be important to

Underscores the significance or consequence for a subject or individual.

to bear upon

Suggests influence or impact on a matter.

to have a bearing on

Indicates influence or consequence for a subject or decision.

to be consequential for

Highlights the resulting implications for a particular subject or individual.

FAQs

How can I use "to be relevant to" in a sentence?

Use "to be relevant to" to show that something is connected, important, or applicable to something else. For example, "The new data needs "to be relevant to" the current study."

What are some alternatives to "to be relevant to"?

You can use alternatives like "to be applicable to", "to be pertinent to", or "to be significant to" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "relevant for" or "relevant to"?

"Relevant to" is generally preferred when indicating a relationship or connection between two subjects. "Relevant for" is less common, but acceptable when emphasizing purpose or suitability. For example, "This information is "to be relevant to" your research" versus "This tool is relevant for data analysis".

What is the difference between "to be relevant to" and "to be important to"?

While both suggest significance, ""to be relevant to"" implies a direct connection or applicability, whereas "to be important to" simply highlights the value or consequence. Something can be important without being directly relevant.