your close relatives

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "your close relatives" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to family members who are closely related, such as parents, siblings, or children. Example: "In case of an emergency, please provide the contact information for your close relatives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It's a time for dancing badly to Wham! in a stupid hat whilst pretending to like your close relatives.

The Guardian - Music

And once you get the fruit, you consume as much as possible before others do, or you share it with your close relatives, which is a well-documented behavior.

University of California, Berkeley

Self-referent phenotype matching is when you use yourself as a referent, rather than your close relatives". The idea that animals can distinguish unfamiliar kin from unrelated strangers - by knowing something about themselves such as their visual image, their voice or their own smell - has been debated for more than 30 years.

Cornell University

Statistically, the more violent your close relatives are, the more violent your species is likely to be.

Science Magazine

If you've had any children, gotten married or divorced, moved to a different state, or any of your close relatives have passed away, now is a good time to revisit the language in your will or any trust documents.

Forbes

"I've been speaking with couples in my practice for decades," he says, "and inevitably the man will turn to his wife and ask her a question about his uncle". You might be able to answer the question about your uncle yourself if you create a written family history, which should contain as much information as you can gather about the health of all your close relatives.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Solution: You overdose on bonds inside your thrift plan while your close relative loads up on stocks.

Forbes

Two open questions were asked regarding how the family members handled their everyday lives: (1) How does your close relative's cancer affect your day-to-day life?

BMC Nursing

Does someone really fall in love with someone that quickly a matter of weeks after one of your closest relatives dies?

The Guardian

"Only Chairman Mao and the Communist Party are your closest relatives," Huang is taught in school while his relatives at home also demand filial piety.

The New Yorker

He recalled visiting his homeland only to find that "close friends had disappeared, everybody on the street had sad faces, you could only trust your closest relatives, and even with them you were so afraid that you talked in whispers".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing sensitive topics like health history or legal matters, using "your close relatives" ensures clarity about who is included in the discussion.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "your close relatives" automatically equates to legal next of kin. While close relatives are often the next of kin, legal definitions can vary and might not always align with emotional closeness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "your close relatives" functions as a possessive noun phrase. It identifies specific family members to whom someone has a significant emotional connection. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

20%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Science

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "your close relatives" is a grammatically sound and understandable phrase used to indicate family members with whom someone shares a strong bond. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct. Although not extremely common, it appears frequently enough in various sources to be considered an established expression. The phrase serves to specify individuals for considerations in personal matters, legal situations, and emotional support. While it's generally neutral in formality, its use is prevalent in news and media, academia, and general-interest content. When discussing the topic, bear in mind that while it's often interchangeable with other options like "your immediate family", the latter has a more restricted sense and doesn't necessarily entail the same emotional closeness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

your immediate family

Focuses on the closest family members, often living in the same household.

your nearest and dearest

Emphasizes the emotional connection and affection towards family members.

your family circle

Refers to the broader group of relatives with whom one maintains close ties.

your kin and kith

A more traditional and somewhat formal way of referring to relatives and close friends.

your blood relations

Specifically highlights relatives connected by blood ties.

your family members

A general term for all members of your family, regardless of closeness.

your loved ones

Emphasizes affection and care, including both relatives and non-relatives.

your next of kin

A legal term referring to the closest relatives entitled to inherit or make decisions in case of emergency.

your parental family

Indicates the family you were born into, differentiating from your own created family.

your extended family

Includes relatives beyond the immediate family, such as aunts, uncles, and cousins.

FAQs

What's the difference between "your close relatives" and "your closest relatives"?

"Your close relatives" refers to family members with whom you have a significant relationship, while "your closest relatives" indicates the family members to whom you are most intimately connected and may imply a smaller group.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "your close relatives"?

Use "your close relatives" when you need to refer to the family members with whom someone has a significant, meaningful relationship, especially in discussions about personal matters, family history, or support systems.

Are "your close relatives" the same as "your immediate family"?

Not always. "Your immediate family" typically refers to your parents, siblings, and children. "Your close relatives" can include aunts, uncles, cousins, or grandparents, depending on the nature of the relationship.

What are some alternative ways to say "your close relatives"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "your immediate family", "your nearest and dearest", or "your family circle" to convey a similar meaning.