What is related? Pronunciation and usage in English

related means . Learn how to pronounce and use related through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of related

relatedadjective

/rɪˈleɪtɪd/
Definition & pronunciation of related

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "related." Here's a breakdown and some tips:

The Pronunciation:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

/rɪˈleɪtɪd/

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  • ri - Pronounced like the "ri" in "ride." It's a short, quick "r" sound.
  • ˈleɪ - This is the key syllable. It's pronounced like "lay" – as in, "lay down." The stress (the emphasis) is on this syllable.
  • tɪd - Pronounced like "tid" – as in, “tide.” A short, quick "t" sound followed by a "d".

Putting it together: ri-LAY-tid

Tips for getting it right:

  • Stress: Make sure you emphasize the second syllable ("LAY"). This is the biggest thing that throws people off.
  • "R" sound: Don't over-emphasize the "r" in the first syllable, it’s a quick, light “r.”
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear native speakers. Here are some options:

Would you like me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you some example sentences using the word "related"?

Usage and examples with the word related in English

Let's break down how to use the word "related" in English. It's a very versatile word with several different meanings and ways to employ it.

1. As an Adjective (Describing Connection):

  • Most Common Use: This is the most frequent way to use "related." It means having a connection, link, or association.

    • Examples:
      • "These two ideas are related." (They have a connection)
      • "She's related to a famous actor." (She has a family connection)
      • "The software updates are related to security improvements." (They're connected in purpose)
      • "He's related to the problem." (He’s involved in causing or having something to do with it)

2. As a Verb (Meaning to be Connected or Linked):

  • To have a connection or link: You use "relate" as a verb to describe establishing a connection between things. It's very similar to "connect" or "link."

    • Examples:
      • "Can you relate this story to the historical context?" (Can you connect it to the broader background?)
      • "She tried to relate her experiences to the research." (She tried to link her experiences to the findings.)
      • "He can relate to the struggles of being a young entrepreneur." (He understands the difficulties)

3. "Related to" – A Phrase:

  • Used to specify a connection or association: “Related to” is a very common and useful phrase.

    • Examples:
      • "This report is related to climate change." (It concerns or is about climate change.)
      • "He's related to the issue of corruption." (He's involved in or knowledgeable about the issue of corruption.)
      • "The new policy is related to employee well-being." (It’s connected to employee well-being)

4. "Related Items" / "Related Documents" - Grouping:

  • Referring to things that go together: Often used in lists or categories.

    • Examples:
      • "Here are some related items for your project." (Things that are pertinent to the project)
      • “Please review the related documents for this claim.” (Files that provide more information)

Important Distinctions and Subtle Nuances:

  • "Related" vs. "Connected": These words are often interchangeable, but "related" often suggests a more formal or factual connection, whereas "connected" can sometimes imply a more emotional or intuitive link.

  • "Related to" vs. "Concerned with": “Related to” is more precise, suggesting a direct association. "Concerned with" is broader – it means something is relevant or important for consideration.

  • "Related" in Statistics: In statistics, "related" is used to describe variables that are expected to influence each other. (e.g., "height and weight are related variables.")

Here's a quick table to summarize:

Part of Speech Meaning Example
Adjective Having a connection “They are related friends.”
Verb To connect, link “I relate this story to the past.”
Phrase Concerning, associated “The problem is related to funding.”
Grouping Items/Documents together “Related research papers.”

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of writing are you working on? (e.g., academic, creative, business, casual conversation)
  • Can you give me an example sentence where you're trying to use the word "related"?

Synonyms for the word related

Practice with vocabulary related

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The environmental impact of our supply chain is directly ________ to our corporate social responsibility initiatives.
  2. Please submit all paperwork ________ to the new hiring process by Friday.
  3. Several economic indicators are closely ________ to consumer spending habits.
  4. Her presentation was not entirely ________ to the primary objective of the meeting.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following terms best describes the connection between public policy and economic growth? a) linked b) unrelated c) related d) isolated

  2. The manager requested a summary ________ the operational issues reported last week. a) regarding b) concerning c) tangential to d) on

  3. The legal team reviewed all documents ________ to the acquisition process. a) pertinent b) unrelated c) related d) irrelevant

  4. His comments were entirely ________ the main agenda of the meeting. a) irrelevant to b) pertinent to c) disconnected from d) off-topic from

  5. The study investigates factors ________ to successful remote work implementation. a) linked with b) associated with c) related to d) isolated from

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. There's a significant connection between employee morale and overall team performance.

    • Rewrite, using "related" or a related word form: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  2. The expert's advice directly bears upon the strategic planning for the next quarter.

    • Rewrite, using "related" or a related word form: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

  3. The information you provided had absolutely no bearing on the project's timeline.

    • Rewrite, without using "related" or any related word forms: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. related
  2. pertaining
  3. related
  4. relevant

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. a) linked, c) related
  2. a) regarding, b) concerning, d) on
  3. a) pertinent, c) related
  4. a) irrelevant to, c) disconnected from, d) off-topic from
  5. a) linked with, b) associated with, c) related to

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Employee morale is significantly related to overall team performance.
  2. The expert's advice is directly related to the strategic planning for the next quarter.
  3. The information you provided was completely irrelevant to the project's timeline.

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