which relative

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which relative" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific family member or relation in a context where clarification is needed. Example: "I have several relatives attending the reunion, but I'm not sure which relative you are referring to."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Paul casts his mind over his family tree, trying to figure out which relative has died.

The New York Times - Books

The party, which (relative to other parties) is unideological, under-factionalised and leadership-loyal, backed the leadership after a vigorous debate.

The Guardian - Opinion

Having crossed the cathedral-sized coffee shop that is the great court, you get to a gallery which, relative to the complex as a whole, seems to have the status of a broom cupboard.

The Guardian - Arts

And this is combined with a fiscal deficit which, relative to GDP, is unknown outside world wars; one in four of the pounds spent by the British government is borrowed from the markets.

The Economist

Islamic State has beheaded about 27 people on film this year, which, relative to the numbers killed in other international fighting (never mind cancer and heart disease), is a negligible number; it's not significant; you barely need to know about it, never mind look.

The Guardian - Opinion

If it wants to remain part of the euro zone — and evidently it does — it will have to downsize its bloated banks and bear some of the cost of the bailout, which, relative to the size of Cyprus's economy, is one of the biggest in recent times.

The New Yorker

But I have since received many, many responses that suggest living next to a beehive is not particularly dangerous for anyone, and that the annual number of deaths in the United States from bee stings is around 50 (which, relative to numerous other possible pastimes, is low).

The New York Times - Magazine

This is achieved through preparing a relative-permeability calculation program (RCP) by which relative permeability curves could be determined.

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

PPG is a non-invasive method in which relative blood volume changes in the blood close to skin is measured.

Procedia Computer Science

The MC-LCP model outputs an uncertainty continuum within its extent, from which relative socio-economic risk can be evaluated.

Journal of Hydrology

We can group them into still more sets of objects, and then ask with which relative frequencies various attributes occur in these sets.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking "which relative", ensure the context clearly indicates the attribute or characteristic you are using to differentiate among the relatives. For example, "Which relative is the oldest?" or "Which relative lives the furthest away?".

Common error

Avoid using "which relative" in situations where the reference is unclear. If the audience cannot easily determine which group of relatives you're referring to, rephrase for clarity. For example, instead of "Which relative should we invite?" specify "Which of Aunt Mary's relatives should we invite?"

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which relative" functions as a determiner and noun within a question or clause. It identifies a specific member within a family based on some implied criteria, as exemplified by Ludwig in several contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "which relative" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for identifying a specific family member. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples across various contexts, predominantly in science, news, and business domains. The phrase functions to elicit specific information about a family member and maintains a generally neutral register, suitable for both formal and informal communications. When employing "which relative", it's essential to provide clear context to avoid ambiguity and ensure effective communication. Consider using alternatives like "which family member" or "what relation" for added clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which family member

Replaces the word 'relative' with a more explicit term, clarifying the familial connection.

what relation

Uses the more formal term 'relation' instead of 'relative'.

in relation to which

Emphasizes the connection or comparison being made.

relative to what

Focuses on the comparative aspect, inquiring about the standard of reference.

identifying the relative

Highlights the action of identifying a family member in a certain category

what amount compared

Emphasizes the quantitative difference under consideration.

compared to what

Focuses on comparison rather than family relations.

determining the proportion

Focuses on calculating or establishing a relative proportion of something

which proportion

Emphasizes the ratio or share being referred to.

what fraction

Highlights the fractional amount being discussed.

FAQs

How can I use "which relative" in a sentence?

You can use "which relative" to inquire about a specific family member based on a particular attribute or characteristic. For example, "Which relative is attending the family reunion?" or "Which relative knows how to play the piano?"

What is a good alternative to "which relative"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "which family member" or "what relation" to specify that you are referring to a family connection.

How does the meaning change if I use "relative to what" instead of "which relative"?

"Which relative" identifies a specific person, while "relative to what" introduces a comparison. For example, "Which relative is the tallest?" asks about a specific person, while "Height relative to what?" seeks a comparative standard.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "which relative"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a question with "which relative" as long as it is followed by a complete question. For example, "Which relative will bring the dessert?" is a grammatically sound question.