were related to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'were related to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when referring to a connection between two or more things. For example: "The events that occurred in the previous night were related to the mysterious sightings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

None were related to her.

The New York Times

14% were related to homophobia.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

14% were related to football.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

5% were related to Freudian slips.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Most of the responses were related to tracking live races.

The Guardian

All were related to life in the big city.

The New York Times - Arts

All activities that week were related to the story.

The Guardian

Not all the problems were related to the sanctions.

The New York Times

Of these, 1,659 were related to swine flu.

The Guardian

The campaign contribution charges were related to the payments.

The Washington Post

Microviscoelastic properties were related to polymer concentration.

Acta Biomaterialia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were related to", ensure that the relationship between the elements is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify the nature of the relationship (causal, correlational, etc.)

Common error

Avoid using "were related to" when the connection is tenuous or unsubstantiated. Provide evidence or context to support the claim of a relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were related to" functions as a linking verb phrase indicating a connection or association between a subject and its complement. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is commonly employed to establish a relationship between entities, events, or ideas.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

38%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were related to" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a connection or association between two or more entities. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase is widely employed across various contexts, from science and news media to academia, with a neutral register that suits diverse writing styles. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to define the nature of the relationship, be it causal, correlational, or coincidental, and to avoid vague or unsubstantiated claims. Alternatives such as "were connected to", "were associated with", and "were linked to" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific context. Overall, "were related to" is a valuable tool for establishing connections and conveying relationships in a clear and effective manner.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were connected to

Emphasizes a direct link or association.

were associated with

Highlights a correlation or common occurrence.

were linked to

Suggests a relationship or chain of events.

were tied to

Indicates a strong and direct connection.

were correlated with

Focuses on a statistical relationship.

were attributed to

Implies a cause-and-effect relationship.

were relevant to

Highlights pertinence and applicability.

were germane to

Suggests relevance and appropriateness.

were pertinent to

Emphasizes direct relevance to a specific matter.

had a connection to

Indicates the existence of a link, without specifying its nature.

FAQs

How can I use "were related to" in a sentence?

You can use "were related to" to indicate a connection or association between two or more things. For example, "The symptoms the patients experienced were related to the new medication."

What are some alternatives to saying "were related to"?

Alternatives include "were connected to", "were associated with", or "were linked to", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "was related to" instead of "were related to"?

Yes, but "was related to" is used with singular subjects, while "were related to" is used with plural subjects. For example, "The incident was related to a security breach", but "The incidents were related to a series of security breaches".

How do I ensure the relationship is clear when using "were related to"?

Provide sufficient context and details to clarify the nature of the relationship. For instance, specify whether the relationship is causal, correlational, or merely coincidental.