In relation to
Academic discourse marker used to connect ideas
Use it to link two ideas professionally when 'about' feels too simple or informal.
In 15 Sekunden
- Connects two ideas or nouns logically.
- Used mostly in professional and academic writing.
- A more precise and formal way to say 'about'.
Bedeutung
You use this phrase to show how one thing is connected to or compared with another. It's like a logical bridge that links two different ideas together so people understand their relationship.
Wichtige Beispiele
3 von 6In a business meeting
In relation to the new budget, we need to cut costs.
Regarding the new budget, we must reduce spending.
Texting a friend (ironically)
In relation to our dinner plans, I'm starving!
About our dinner plans, I am very hungry!
Explaining a physical location
The house is small in relation to the huge garden.
The house is small compared to the large garden.
Kultureller Hintergrund
The phrase reflects the Western academic and legal tradition of 'compartmentalization,' where ideas are strictly categorized. It became a staple of 'Corporate Speak' in the late 20th century as a way to maintain professional distance and precision.
The 'Noun' Rule
Always follow this phrase with a noun or a gerund (an -ing word). Never follow it directly with a verb.
Don't Overuse It
If you use it three times in one paragraph, you'll sound like a robot. Swap it for 'regarding' or 'concerning' to keep things natural.
In 15 Sekunden
- Connects two ideas or nouns logically.
- Used mostly in professional and academic writing.
- A more precise and formal way to say 'about'.
What It Means
Think of this phrase as a logical bridge. It connects two separate ideas together. It tells your listener that one thing is relevant because of another. It’s much more precise than just saying about. When you use it, you are showing a direct link. It’s like drawing a line on a map between two cities. You are explaining how they interact or compare. It helps people see the big picture in your conversation. It focuses on the relationship between two specific points.
How To Use It
You usually place it between two nouns or concepts. For example, you might talk about the cost in relation to the value. It acts as a sophisticated prepositional phrase. You can also use it to start a new thought. In relation to your previous point, I agree. This signals to everyone that you are staying on topic. It requires a noun or a noun phrase to follow it immediately. You wouldn't say in relation to go, you would say in relation to going. It’s a flexible tool for your professional toolkit.
When To Use It
This is a powerhouse phrase for professional life. Use it in business emails to sound polished. It’s perfect for academic essays where you need to compare data. If you are in a meeting, it helps you pivot between topics smoothly. It shows you have a high level of English mastery. Use it when you want to be taken seriously. It’s also great for giving feedback or critiques. It makes your arguments feel more structured and grounded in logic.
When NOT To Use It
Keep this away from very casual settings. If you’re buying a coffee, don't use it with the barista. In relation to my latte, make it soy sounds very strange. It’s too heavy for light, breezy conversations. Also, avoid it in moments of high emotion or emergency. It takes too long to say when you're in a hurry. If you use it too much with friends, you might sound like a robot or a lawyer. It’s a tool for logic, not for heart-to-heart chats.
Cultural Background
This phrase is a hallmark of Standard English in global business. It has roots in formal logic and legal writing. English culture often prizes clarity and categorization in professional settings. Using this phrase signals that you are part of that professional culture. It’s very common in both British and American corporate environments. It’s a way to sound objective and unbiased. It removes the personal feel and makes things sound more factual and authoritative.
Common Variations
You have plenty of options if you want to sound different. Regarding is a bit shorter and very common in emails. With respect to is even more formal and often used in legal contexts. Concerning is a solid, neutral alternative you can use anywhere. If you want to be more casual, just stick with about. In terms of is another cousin that focuses on specific categories. Mixing these up will keep your writing from feeling repetitive and fresh.
Nutzungshinweise
This phrase is primarily formal. While grammatically simple, its power lies in its ability to organize complex thoughts in professional writing or speech.
The 'Noun' Rule
Always follow this phrase with a noun or a gerund (an -ing word). Never follow it directly with a verb.
Don't Overuse It
If you use it three times in one paragraph, you'll sound like a robot. Swap it for 'regarding' or 'concerning' to keep things natural.
The Ironic Twist
Native speakers sometimes use this very formal phrase for tiny, silly things (like a sandwich) to be funny. It's called 'mock-formality'.
Beispiele
6In relation to the new budget, we need to cut costs.
Regarding the new budget, we must reduce spending.
Used here to introduce a specific topic for discussion.
In relation to our dinner plans, I'm starving!
About our dinner plans, I am very hungry!
Using formal language in a text adds a touch of humor.
The house is small in relation to the huge garden.
The house is small compared to the large garden.
Used to compare the size of two physical objects.
I have some concerns in relation to our communication.
I have some worries about how we talk to each other.
Softens a difficult topic by making it sound more objective.
The results were analyzed in relation to previous studies.
The results were compared with earlier research.
Standard way to connect data to existing knowledge.
In relation to your health, you should try to sleep more.
Regarding your health, getting more sleep would help.
Provides a clear focus for the advice being given.
Teste dich selbst
Choose the correct phrase to complete the professional email.
I am writing to you ___ your recent application for the manager position.
The standard set phrase is 'in relation to'. 'In relation with' is generally considered incorrect in this context.
Complete the comparison sentence.
The cost of the car is quite high ___ its actual performance.
When comparing two qualities like 'cost' and 'performance', 'in relation to' is the most natural formal choice.
🎉 Ergebnis: /2
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Formality Levels of Connecting Phrases
Talking to friends or family.
About
Standard daily communication.
Regarding
Business and academic writing.
In relation to
Legal documents and contracts.
With respect to
Where to use 'In Relation To'
Job Interview
In relation to my experience...
Science Report
Data in relation to the hypothesis...
Property Search
Price in relation to location...
Doctor Visit
Symptoms in relation to diet...
Häufig gestellte Fragen
12 FragenIt means 'concerning' or 'in connection with'. It shows how one thing relates to another, like The price in relation to the quality.
Yes, it is much more formal. While about is general, in relation to suggests a more logical or comparative link.
Absolutely! It’s common in emails, such as In relation to your request, I have attached the file.
Usually, no. We use in relation to for topics. In a relationship with is used for romantic partners.
Only if you want to sound very serious or if you are joking. It’s usually too stiff for casual texting.
Yes, it is very common in British professional and academic circles, just as it is in American English.
Yes, that is one of its main uses. For example, The size of the room in relation to the furniture.
The word regarding is a great, slightly shorter synonym that is still professional.
Yes, you can say in relation to the students or in relation to the problem.
Very often! Lawyers use it to define how different laws or clauses connect to each other.
Use it only once per email or conversation. If you need to connect ideas again, use as for or concerning.
Yes, it is considered an advanced discourse marker because it helps structure complex arguments.
Verwandte Redewendungen
With regard to
Concerning
In terms of
With respect to
As it pertains to
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