What is relative? Pronunciation and usage in English

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

Definition & pronunciation of relative

relativeadjective

/ˈrɛlətɪv/
Definition & pronunciation of relative

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "relative" in English. Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables:

The word "relative" is typically divided into two syllables:

  • rel - (like "bell")
  • a-tiv - (like "a-tiv" as in "active")

2. Phonetic Breakdown (using IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

  • rel: /rɛl/ (The "r" is a tapped 'r' - a quick, brief roll of the tongue)
  • a-tiv: /əˈtɪv/ (The stress is on the second syllable - "tiv")

3. Putting it together:

Say it slowly at first: "Rel-a-tiv"

4. Tips for a good pronunciation:

  • The "r" sound: This is often tricky for non-native speakers. It's a tapped "r," which is lighter and shorter than the rolled "r" you hear in Spanish or Italian. Imagine you're lightly tapping the roof of your mouth with your tongue.

  • The vowel in "a-tiv": The "a" sound in "a-tiv" is a short "a" sound, like in the word "cat".

  • Stress: Emphasize the second syllable ("tiv").

Resources for Hearing it:

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Focus on a specific part of the pronunciation (like the "r")?

Usage and examples with the word relative in English

Let's break down how to use the word "relative" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown, divided into categories, with examples:

1. Family Members (Most Common Meaning)

  • Definition: Someone related to you by blood or marriage.
  • Examples:
    • "My relative Sarah is coming to visit next week."
    • "I'm going to spend Thanksgiving with my relatives."
    • "He's a second cousin twice removed – a distant relative."
    • "We have a large family, so we have many relatives."

2. Someone Connected to You (Broader Sense)

  • Definition: Someone who is associated with you or your situation, even if not by blood. This can include friends, colleagues, or acquaintances.
  • Examples:
    • "She's a close relative in the industry." (Meaning: a colleague or someone she knows well.)
    • "The detective interviewed several relatives of the victim." (Meaning: people connected to the victim's life).
    • "He works with many relatives at his new job." (Meaning: coworkers)

3. Degree of Comparison (Adjective) – This is a key way to use "relative"

  • Definition: Used to indicate a degree of difference or similarity in relation to something else. It’s often paired with “compared to” or “in relation to.”
  • Examples:
    • "The city is smaller than its relative in the state." (Meaning: compared to other cities in the state.)
    • "The data shows a relative increase in sales." (Meaning: an increase, but perhaps not a huge one; a moderate increase.)
    • "He's a relative beginner in programming." (Meaning: a beginner compared to more experienced programmers.)
    • "The impact of the storm was relatively minor." (Meaning: not very severe – a milder impact).

4. Relative Pronouns (Grammar) – Important for sentence structure

  • Definition: Pronouns like who, whom, whose, which, that are used to introduce relative clauses. A relative clause provides extra information about a noun.
  • Examples:
    • "The book that I borrowed from the library is due back tomorrow." ("That" refers to "the book.")
    • "The woman who lives next door is a doctor." (“Who” refers to “the woman.”)
    • "This is the restaurant where we first met." (“Where” refers to “the restaurant.”)
    • "The car, which is very old, needs repairs." (“Which” refers to “the car.”)

Key Points to Remember:

  • Context is Crucial: The meaning of "relative" depends heavily on the context of the sentence.
  • Adjective vs. Pronoun: Pay attention to whether "relative" is being used as an adjective (describing something) or as a pronoun (introducing a clause).
  • "Compared to" or "In relation to": If you're using "relative" to express a degree of comparison, it's often followed by words like "compared to," "in relation to," or "than."

Resources for More Information:

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  • What are you trying to do with the word "relative"? (e.g., Are you writing a sentence, studying grammar, or just trying to understand its use?)

Synonyms for the word relative

Idioms of the word relative

relative to somebody/something
in comparison with somebody/something else; in relation to somebody/something
  • the position of the sun relative to the earth
  • The movements of the continents relative to each other can be measured.
  • The company employs too many people relative to the size of its business.
having a connection with somebody/something; concerning somebody/something
  • He may have information relative to the case.

Practice with vocabulary relative

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The project's success is often measured by its impact on user engagement, ____ to the initial baseline metrics.
  2. During the holiday season, many people travel long distances to visit their immediate and extended ____.
  3. The report provided a ____ analysis of market trends across different sectors, highlighting key differences.
  4. It's important to remember that all decisions carry consequences ____ to their significance and scope.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

  1. The project's budget, while appearing large, is actually quite modest ____ to its potential impact. A) in relation B) relative C) comparable D) pertinent

  2. Despite their busy schedules, many distant ____ attended the family gathering, making it a memorable event. A) kin B) associates C) relatives D) acquaintances

  3. The quality of the finished product is high, especially ____ to its low manufacturing cost. A) regarding B) relative C) consequent D) linked

  4. The marketing team focused on cross-promotion between the main product and its ____ services. A) associated B) connected C) relative D) unrelated

  5. When assessing a candidate, we consider their experience, qualifications, and ____ suitability for the role. A) overall B) general C) specific D) individual

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: If you consider the total expenses, the material cost was quite small. Rewrite (must use "relative"):
  2. Original: Despite the project's complexity, the team finished it quickly. Rewrite (must use "relative" or related word forms):
  3. Original: The support given to each department should be in line with its strategic importance. Rewrite (must NOT use "relative"):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. relative
  2. relatives
  3. comparative
  4. proportionate

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. A) in relation, B) relative (Both "in relation to" and "relative to" are correct phrasal expressions for comparison.)
  2. A) kin, C) relatives (Both words refer to family members.)
  3. B) relative (The phrase "relative to" means 'in comparison to'.)
  4. A) associated, B) connected (Both words mean 'linked to' or 'related to' in a general sense.)
  5. A) overall, B) general (Both describe a comprehensive assessment.)

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The material cost was quite small relative to the total expenses.
  2. The team finished the project relatively quickly, despite its complexity.
  3. The support given to each department should be commensurate with its strategic importance.

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