which relates to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which relates to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe something that is relevant to the topic or subject at hand. For example, "The book contains several stories which relate to the themes of friendship and loyalty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's not a skill which relates to degree class.

The Guardian

The company is also assessing $4.78 billion in goodwill, which relates to acquired assets, he said.

The New York Times

And there is another question, which relates to the "fit" of a particular campaign.

The New Yorker

Fifa punished him according to Article 57, which relates to "offensive gestures or language".

The Guardian - Sport

They have a Rastafarian meaning, which relates to the Biblical Lion of Judah".

The New Yorker

Furthermore, our study overcomes another, more specific possible confound24, which relates to spatial frequencies.

Nature

Each round gives users a choice of topic which relates to one of our Guardian podcasts.

The Guardian

This file contains Supplementary Data, which relates to the main paper.

Nature

Students must reference published work which relates to the concrete goal of their project.

Stanford University

THE PRESIDENT: There is only one paragraph which relates to Goering.

Yale University

[578 P.2d 902] doctrine, which relates to the allocation of loss among multiple tortfeasors.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "which relates to" to clearly indicate a direct connection or relevance between two subjects, ensuring clarity and avoiding ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "which relates to" in overly simple sentences where a more direct verb like 'concerns' or 'involves' would be more concise and effective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which relates to" functions as a relative clause, introducing additional information or clarification about a preceding noun or clause. Ludwig AI examples show it connecting a subject to its attributes or associated details.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which relates to" is a frequently used relative clause that serves to connect and provide additional information about a subject. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, especially in news, scientific, and academic writing. While versatile, remember to avoid overuse in simple sentences where more direct verbs might suffice. When seeking alternatives, consider "that pertains to", "that is relevant to", or "that concerns", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. With its solid grammatical standing and wide application, "which relates to" remains a valuable tool for clear and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that pertains to

Replaces 'relates' with 'pertains', suggesting a direct relevance or connection.

that is connected to

Uses a more explicit connection, emphasizing the link between two subjects.

that is relevant to

Focuses on the relevance of the subject matter, highlighting its importance to the context.

that is associated with

Implies a less direct connection, suggesting an association rather than a direct relationship.

that concerns

Emphasizes the subject matter as being about or regarding something.

that refers to

Highlights that the subject matter is making reference to something else.

that bears upon

Suggests an impact or influence of one thing on another, more formal.

that has a bearing on

Similar to 'bears upon', but emphasizes the significance of the connection.

that is linked to

Highlights a direct link or relationship between two things.

that ties in with

Indicates a connection that integrates or complements another element.

FAQs

How can I use "which relates to" in a sentence?

Use "which relates to" to connect a clause providing additional information about something previously mentioned. For example, "The study examines a gene /s/that+pertains+to heart disease".

What's a simpler way to say "which relates to"?

You could use phrases like "that concerns", "that refers to", or "that is relevant to" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "that relates to" instead of "which relates to"?

In many cases, "that" and "which" are interchangeable, but "which" is generally preferred when introducing nonrestrictive clauses (clauses that add extra information but aren't essential to the sentence's meaning). For restrictive clauses (essential information), "that" is often preferred.

What is the difference between "which relates to" and "that is associated with"?

"Which relates to" implies a direct connection or relevance, while "that is associated with" suggests a weaker or more indirect connection. The choice depends on the strength of the relationship you want to convey.