which relative to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which relative to" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be an attempt to connect a subject to a specific context or comparison, but it is awkwardly phrased. Example: "The findings of the study, which relative to the previous research, indicate a significant change in results."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Choose which relatives to send it to, it could be your aunt and uncle, cousin(s).

WikiHow

What is new is the scale on which relative newcomers to the U.S. are thrusting into the highest reaches of American wealth.

Forbes

Furthermore the Gibraltar sill also precludes deep ocean currents from reaching the Deep Med and would isolate this habitat from the input of psycrophiles from Antarctic waters which relatives seem to populate the global ocean bathypelagic regions [39].

Plosone

It would be interesting, therefore, to investigate the extent to which relative phase changes might affect cell cycle progression, transformation and tumorigenesis.

Cell Death and Differentiation

Here, we define the apparent MIC to be the minimum concentration of drug A at which relative growth is reduced to a value of δ.

BMC Systems Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For clarity, replace "which relative to" with more direct phrases like "compared to", "in relation to", or "with respect to" to improve sentence structure and readability.

Common error

Avoid using "which relative to" as it can make your writing sound convoluted. Opt for simpler, more direct comparative phrases to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which relative to" functions as a relative clause introducing a comparison or relationship between two elements. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is often awkwardly phrased and can be replaced with clearer alternatives.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "which relative to" is used to draw comparisons, Ludwig AI points out that it's not the strongest choice for clarity. Occurring often in scientific and news contexts, more direct phrases like "compared to" or "in relation to" often lead to more effective writing. Although it appears in numerous sources, remember that opting for simpler alternatives can enhance readability and avoid awkward phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compared to which

This alternative directly uses the phrase "compared to" offering a straightforward comparison point.

in relation to which

Focuses on the connection or association between two subjects, emphasizing their interdependence.

in comparison with which

Emphasizes the act of comparing one item against another, highlighting their differences or similarities.

with respect to which

Highlights a specific aspect or viewpoint under consideration, providing a clear context for the comparison.

by comparison to which

Uses "by comparison" to introduce the reference point for assessing the relative qualities of something.

relative to that

Shifts the reference to a previously mentioned item, streamlining the comparison.

when compared to which

Specifies a condition under which the comparison is valid, adding a layer of context.

assessed against which

Indicates a formal evaluation process, where the subject is being judged against a set standard.

measured against which

Suggests a quantifiable comparison, using metrics to determine the relative standing of the subject.

in proportion to which

Highlights the ratio or scale between two items, emphasizing their proportional relationship.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "which relative to"?

You can use alternatives such as "compared to", "in relation to", or "with respect to", depending on the specific context.

Is the phrase "which relative to" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "which relative to" is not considered grammatically ideal. Simpler alternatives often provide clearer and more concise communication.

How can I improve my writing by avoiding "which relative to"?

Focus on direct comparisons. For instance, instead of saying "the result, which relative to the previous study, was different," try "the result was different compared to the previous study".

When is it acceptable to use "which relative to"?

Although not strictly incorrect, it's generally better to use more common and clearer alternatives. Only use "which relative to" if it perfectly captures your intended meaning and no simpler phrase does.