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B1 adjective #40 most common 11 min read

Top 40

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips related in 30 Seconds

Explanation related in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'related' is most commonly used to talk about family. When you meet someone new, you might ask if they are 'related' to another person you know. It simply means they belong to the same family. For example, 'Are you related to Tom?' or 'My brother and I are related.' It is a basic way to describe how people are connected by blood or marriage. You don't need to worry about complex logical connections yet. Just think of 'related' as a word for 'family connection'. You will often hear it in simple questions about people's names or where they come from. It is an important word for basic social interactions.

At the A2 level, you start to use 'related' to describe simple connections between things, not just people. For example, you might say that two topics in a book are related, or that a problem is related to the weather. You will learn the important pattern 'related to'. This helps you link two ideas together. 'This exercise is related to the lesson we did yesterday.' It is a very useful word for explaining why you are doing something or how two things are similar. You might also see it in shops, like 'related items' on a website, which shows you things that are similar to what you are buying.

At the B1 level, 'related' becomes a key tool for organizing your thoughts and speaking more clearly. You can use it to explain the causes of things. For example, 'The increase in traffic is related to the new shopping mall.' You also start to use adverbs like 'closely' or 'directly' to show how strong the connection is. 'These two issues are closely related.' This allows you to give more detail in your descriptions. You will encounter 'related' in news stories and school subjects, where it is used to show how different events or facts are linked. It helps you move from simple sentences to more complex explanations of how the world works.

At the B2 level, you use 'related' in more abstract and professional contexts. You might discuss 'work-related stress' or 'health-related issues'. The word is used to categorize information in a more sophisticated way. You understand that 'related' doesn't just mean 'similar', but can imply a logical or functional dependency. In academic writing, you use it to transition between ideas: 'In a related study, researchers found...' This shows that you can follow a complex argument and see the connections between different pieces of evidence. You also become aware of the difference between 'related' and 'relevant', ensuring your arguments are precise and well-structured.

At the C1 level, you use 'related' to describe intricate systems and subtle interdependencies. You might talk about 'interrelated' factors, showing that many things affect each other at the same time. You use the word with high precision in legal, scientific, or technical contexts. For example, you might analyze how 'socio-economic factors are related to educational outcomes'. You are comfortable using 'related' in various grammatical positions and with a wide range of intensifying adverbs. Your use of the word reflects a deep understanding of the complexity of relationships, whether they are linguistic, historical, or scientific. You can also use it to make nuanced comparisons between similar but distinct concepts.

At the C2 level, 'related' is used with total mastery to weave together complex philosophical or theoretical frameworks. You might explore how seemingly disparate ideas are 'intrinsically related' or 'conceptually related'. You use the word to navigate the highest levels of academic and professional discourse, where the nature of the relationship itself is often the subject of debate. You can distinguish between 'causally related', 'statistically related', and 'thematically related' with ease. Your use of 'related' helps to synthesize vast amounts of information into a coherent whole, demonstrating a sophisticated grasp of the underlying structures of thought and reality. You use it to provide clarity in the most dense and challenging texts.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

related in 30 Seconds

Related describes a connection between things, whether they are family members, similar ideas, or linked events in a logical sequence.
It is primarily used with the preposition 'to' to show how one thing is associated with another in a specific way.
The word is common in many fields, including science, law, and everyday conversation, to organize and explain complex relationships.
Synonyms like 'connected' or 'associated' can offer more precision, but 'related' remains the most versatile term for any kind of link.

The word related is a versatile adjective used to describe a connection or association between two or more things. At its most fundamental level, it signifies that there is a logical, causal, or biological link that binds entities together. When we say things are related, we are asserting that they do not exist in isolation; rather, they share a common origin, a similar nature, or a functional dependency. This term is ubiquitous in English because humans are naturally inclined to categorize and find patterns in the world around them. Whether we are discussing family trees, scientific phenomena, or abstract concepts like economic trends, 'related' serves as the primary bridge to explain how one thing touches another.

Biological Connection: In a genealogical context, being related means belonging to the same family through blood or marriage. This is perhaps the most common everyday use of the word. For example, if two people share the same grandparents, they are biologically related.

I recently discovered that my neighbor and I are actually related through a distant cousin in Scotland.

Logical Association: Beyond biology, 'related' describes things that are connected by a shared theme or cause. If you are studying for a test, you might find that the chapters on history and geography are closely related because the landscape often dictates where historical battles were fought.

In professional and academic settings, the word takes on a more analytical tone. Scientists look for related variables in an experiment to determine if one affects the other. In business, companies might offer related services, such as a car dealership also providing insurance and maintenance. The word helps to organize complex information into manageable groups. By identifying what is related, we can predict outcomes and understand the underlying structure of systems. It is a word of organization, clarity, and discovery.

The rise in global temperatures is directly related to the increase in carbon dioxide emissions over the last century.

Categorical Grouping: Objects or ideas that belong to the same category are described as related. In a library, books about biology and chemistry are found in the science section because they are related subjects.

Spanish and Italian are closely related languages that both evolved from Latin.

The detective looked for any related clues that might link the two separate crime scenes.

The software update fixed several related bugs that were causing the application to crash.

Using the word related effectively requires an understanding of its grammatical placement and the prepositions that typically follow it. Most commonly, 'related' functions as a predicative adjective, appearing after a linking verb like 'to be'. However, it can also act as an attributive adjective, appearing directly before the noun it modifies. Understanding these patterns allows for more fluid and natural-sounding English. The most important rule to remember is that 'related' is almost always paired with 'to' when specifying the connection.

The 'Related To' Pattern: This is the standard way to show a link between two specific things. Structure: [Subject] + [Be-verb] + related to + [Object]. Example: 'The stress she feels is related to her heavy workload.'

Is your current research related to your previous work on renewable energy?

Attributive Usage: When 'related' comes before a noun, it describes the nature of that noun as being part of a group or connection. Example: 'The company offers a variety of related products, such as chargers and cases for their phones.'

In formal writing, 'related' is often used to introduce evidence or supporting details. You might see phrases like 'In a related development' or 'On a related note'. These serve as transitions, signaling to the reader that the next piece of information is connected to what was just discussed. This helps maintain the flow of an argument or narrative. In casual conversation, we often use it to clarify family ties, asking questions like 'Are you two related?' to find out if people are siblings or cousins.

The witness provided several related facts that helped the jury understand the timeline of the event.

Negative Construction: To show a lack of connection, use 'unrelated'. However, you can also use 'not related to'. Example: 'The two incidents are completely unrelated.'

He mentioned a related issue during the meeting that we hadn't considered before.

Many people believe that diet and mood are closely related.

The professor assigned three related articles for us to read over the weekend.

The word related is a staple in various domains of life, from the highly technical to the mundane. You will encounter it in news broadcasts, scientific journals, legal documents, and casual social gatherings. Its ability to bridge different levels of formality makes it one of the most useful words in the English lexicon. In the media, journalists use it to connect breaking news stories to larger trends or historical events. For instance, a report on a local flood might mention how it is related to broader patterns of climate change. This helps the audience see the 'big picture' rather than just isolated incidents.

In Science and Medicine: Doctors and researchers use 'related' to describe symptoms or conditions that stem from a single cause. A patient might have a cough that is related to an allergy. In genetics, it describes the degree of shared DNA between organisms.

The doctor explained that my fatigue was directly related to a lack of iron in my diet.

In Legal and Business Contexts: Contracts often mention 'related parties' or 'related expenses'. This ensures that all connected entities or costs are covered under the agreement. In business meetings, a manager might say, 'Let's discuss the related costs of this project,' to ensure the budget is comprehensive.

Socially, 'related' is the go-to word for exploring genealogy. At family reunions, people often spend time figuring out exactly how they are related to one another—whether they are first cousins, second cousins once removed, or related by marriage. It is also used in a metaphorical sense in conversation. If someone tells a story, another person might chime in with, 'That’s related to what happened to me last week!' This usage helps build rapport and find common ground in social interactions.

The news anchor transitioned to a related story about the local economy after discussing the new tax laws.

In Education: Teachers use the word to help students make connections between different subjects. For example, 'How is the math we learned today related to the physics experiment we did yesterday?'

Are these two historical events related, or did they happen independently of each other?

The detective found a related piece of evidence that proved the suspect was at the scene.

The website suggested several related articles for further reading on the topic of space exploration.

While related is a common word, it is frequently misused by learners of English, particularly regarding its prepositional use and its distinction from similar-sounding words. One of the most frequent errors is using the wrong preposition. Many learners mistakenly say 'related with' because they are translating directly from their native language or confusing it with 'associated with'. In English, 'related' almost exclusively takes 'to'. Another common pitfall is the confusion between 'related' and 'relative'. While they share the same root, they function differently in a sentence.

Preposition Errors: Incorrect: 'The problems are related with the weather.' Correct: 'The problems are related to the weather.' Always pair 'related' with 'to' when indicating a connection.

Incorrect: Are you related with him? Correct: Are you related to him?

Related vs. Relative: 'Related' is an adjective describing a connection. 'Relative' can be a noun (a family member) or an adjective meaning 'compared to something else'. Example: 'He is my relative' (noun). 'The success was relative to the effort' (adjective).

Another mistake is using 'related' when 'relevant' is more appropriate. For example, if you are discussing a budget and someone brings up a story about their cat, the story might be 'related' to the general theme of 'life', but it is not 'relevant' to the budget discussion. 'Relevant' implies a useful or significant connection to the matter at hand. Furthermore, learners sometimes confuse the adjective 'related' with the past tense of the verb 'relate'. While they look identical, the verb 'relate' means to tell a story or to empathize with someone, whereas the adjective 'related' describes a state of connection.

Confusing: He related the story (verb). Clearer: The story is related to his childhood (adjective).

Overuse of 'Related': Sometimes 'related' is too vague. If you mean things are exactly the same, use 'identical'. If you mean they happened at the same time, use 'simultaneous'. Use 'related' when the connection is general.

Incorrect: These two pens are related. Better: These two pens are identical.

Incorrect: The two events related yesterday. Correct: The two events were related.

Incorrect: I have many relateds in London. Correct: I have many relatives in London.

To enrich your vocabulary, it is helpful to know synonyms for related and understand the subtle differences in their meanings. While 'related' is a broad, all-purpose term, other words can provide more precision depending on the context. For instance, 'connected' often implies a physical or direct link, whereas 'associated' suggests a more conceptual or loose partnership. Choosing the right alternative can make your writing more descriptive and professional. Below, we explore several common alternatives and how they compare to 'related'.

Connected vs. Related: 'Connected' is often used for physical things (cables, pipes) or direct relationships. 'Related' is broader and often used for family or abstract ideas. You can say two computers are connected, but you wouldn't say they are related unless they share a manufacturer or design.

The printer is connected to the laptop, but the two devices are not related in terms of technology.

Associated vs. Related: 'Associated' often implies a professional or organizational link. Companies are associated; people are related. 'Associated' can also describe things that often happen together, like 'smoking is associated with lung cancer'.

In academic writing, you might use 'correlated' when talking about statistics. This means that as one thing changes, the other changes too. However, 'related' is still the safer, more general term if you aren't sure about the mathematical relationship. For family connections, 'kindred' is a more poetic or old-fashioned alternative, often used to describe people who share the same spirit or values ('kindred spirits'). In business, 'affiliated' is used to describe branch offices or partner companies. Understanding these nuances allows you to tailor your language to your audience and purpose.

The two concepts are linked by a common goal of improving public health.

Relevant vs. Related: As mentioned before, 'relevant' means it matters right now. 'Related' just means there is a connection. A fact can be related to the topic but completely irrelevant to the current argument.

His comment was related to the subject, but it wasn't relevant to the decision we had to make.

The symptoms are indicative of a related condition that we should investigate further.

The two companies are affiliated, meaning they work together but remain separate entities.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

The word 'relate' (the verb) and 'related' (the adjective) were used for centuries to mean 'telling a story' before they were commonly used to describe family connections in the 17th century.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /rɪˈleɪ.tɪd/

US /rɪˈleɪ.t̬ɪd/

re-LAT-ed

Rhymes With

dated stated waited fated rated hated created inflated

Common Errors

Stressing the first syllable (RE-lated).
Pronouncing the 'ed' as a separate 'id' sound too strongly.
Confusing the 'a' sound with 'ah'.
Dropping the 'r' at the beginning.
Mumbling the 't' so it disappears.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Commonly found in many types of texts, easy to recognize.

Writing 3/5

Requires correct use of the preposition 'to'.

Speaking 2/5

Very useful for social and professional talk.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation, usually easy to hear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

family connect same different to

Learn Next

relevant associated linked relationship relative

Advanced

correlation interdependent concomitant germane akin

Grammar to Know

Adjective + Preposition

Always use 'to' after 'related' when connecting it to an object.

Predicative Adjectives

In 'The issues are related', 'related' follows a linking verb.

Attributive Adjectives

In 'related issues', 'related' comes before the noun.

Compound Adjectives

Use a hyphen for compound adjectives like 'work-related'.

Adverbial Modification

Use adverbs like 'closely' to modify the degree of the adjective.

Examples by Level

Are you related to the teacher?

Est-ce que vous avez un lien de parenté avec le professeur ?

Uses 'related to' to ask about family connection.

My friend and I are not related.

Mon ami et moi n'avons pas de lien de parenté.

Negative form 'not related'.

They have the same name, but they are not related.

Ils ont le même nom, mais ils ne sont pas parents.

Contrast using 'but'.

Is he related to you?

Est-il parent avec toi ?

Simple question structure.

We are related by marriage.

Nous sommes parents par alliance.

Specifying the type of relation with 'by marriage'.

Are all these people related?

Est-ce que toutes ces personnes sont parentes ?

Plural subject with 'related'.

I am related to a famous singer.

Je suis parent avec un chanteur célèbre.

Positive statement about family.

How are you related?

Quel est votre lien de parenté ?

Question word 'how' used to ask for details.

The two problems are related.

Les deux problèmes sont liés.

Simple connection between abstract things.

This book is related to history.

Ce livre est lié à l'histoire.

Subject + be + related to + category.

Is your job related to computers?

Ton travail est-il lié aux ordinateurs ?

Asking about a thematic connection.

I have some related questions.

J'ai quelques questions connexes.

Attributive use before the noun 'questions'.

The price is related to the quality.

Le prix est lié à la qualité.

Showing a simple causal link.

They are studying related subjects.

Ils étudient des sujets connexes.

Describing a group of similar things.

The news is related to the strike.

Les nouvelles sont liées à la grève.

Connecting current events.

Are these two events related?

Ces deux événements sont-ils liés ?

Asking about a possible connection.

The illness is related to a lack of sleep.

La maladie est liée à un manque de sommeil.

Linking a condition to a cause.

We discussed several related issues during the meeting.

Nous avons discuté de plusieurs questions connexes pendant la réunion.

Using 'related' to group topics.

The two languages are closely related.

Les deux langues sont étroitement liées.

Using the adverb 'closely' to show strength.

Is this project related to our main goal?

Ce projet est-il lié à notre objectif principal ?

Checking for alignment with a goal.

The website shows related products at the bottom.

Le site Web affiche des produits connexes en bas.

Common e-commerce terminology.

Her success is directly related to her hard work.

Son succès est directement lié à son travail acharné.

Using 'directly' to show a clear link.

The police think the two crimes are related.

La police pense que les deux crimes sont liés.

Expressing a professional opinion about a link.

On a related note, I also want to mention the budget.

Sur une note connexe, je veux aussi mentionner le budget.

Transition phrase 'On a related note'.

The company deals with all aspects of property-related law.

L'entreprise s'occupe de tous les aspects du droit immobilier.

Compound-like use: 'property-related'.

There are many factors related to the decline of the industry.

Il existe de nombreux facteurs liés au déclin de l'industrie.

Describing complex causes.

The research focuses on health-related behaviors in teenagers.

La recherche se concentre sur les comportements liés à la santé chez les adolescents.

Using 'related' to define a research area.

These two concepts are fundamentally related.

Ces deux concepts sont fondamentalement liés.

Using 'fundamentally' for deep connections.

The witness's testimony was not related to the main charge.

Le témoignage du témoin n'était pas lié au chef d'accusation principal.

Distinguishing between related and relevant info.

The increase in sales is partly related to the new marketing campaign.

L'augmentation des ventes est en partie liée à la nouvelle campagne de marketing.

Using 'partly' to show a partial connection.

Are the symptoms related to any previous medical conditions?

Les symptômes sont-ils liés à des conditions médicales antérieures ?

Inquiring about medical history.

The study explores how diet is related to mental well-being.

L'étude explore comment l'alimentation est liée au bien-être mental.

Describing a scientific investigation.

The various elements of the ecosystem are intricately related.

Les différents éléments de l'écosystème sont étroitement liés.

Using 'intricately' for complex systems.

The report highlights several interrelated issues that need to be addressed.

Le rapport souligne plusieurs questions interdépendantes qui doivent être abordées.

Using 'interrelated' for mutual connections.

His argument was based on a series of related premises.

Son argument était basé sur une série de prémisses liées.

Describing the structure of an argument.

The phenomena are related in ways that we do not yet fully understand.

Les phénomènes sont liés d'une manière que nous ne comprenons pas encore complètement.

Expressing scientific uncertainty about a link.

The cultural shifts are closely related to the technological advancements of the era.

Les changements culturels sont étroitement liés aux progrès technologiques de l'époque.

Linking social and technical changes.

The two theories, while different, are related by a common philosophical origin.

Les deux théories, bien que différentes, sont liées par une origine philosophique commune.

Showing a deep, non-obvious connection.

The legal team is investigating any related parties involved in the transaction.

L'équipe juridique enquête sur toutes les parties liées impliquées dans la transaction.

Specific legal term 'related parties'.

The fluctuations in the market are related to global political instability.

Les fluctuations du marché sont liées à l'instabilité politique mondiale.

Connecting economic and political factors.

The author explores the intrinsically related themes of love and loss.

L'auteur explore les thèmes intrinsèquement liés de l'amour et de la perte.

Using 'intrinsically' for inseparable links.

These disparate events are, upon closer inspection, deeply related.

Ces événements disparates sont, après un examen plus approfondi, profondément liés.

Revealing hidden connections.

The study posits that these variables are not merely correlated, but causally related.

L'étude postule que ces variables ne sont pas seulement corrélées, mais liées par un lien de causalité.

Distinguishing correlation from causation.

The architecture of the building is related to the surrounding landscape in a symbiotic way.

L'architecture du bâtiment est liée au paysage environnant de manière symbiotique.

Describing a complex aesthetic relationship.

The nuances of the language are related to the specific social hierarchy of the time.

Les nuances de la langue sont liées à la hiérarchie sociale spécifique de l'époque.

Linking linguistics to sociology.

One must consider the related implications of such a drastic policy change.

Il faut considérer les implications connexes d'un changement de politique aussi radical.

Using 'related' to broaden the scope of analysis.

The two musical pieces are related through a shared melodic motif.

Les deux pièces musicales sont liées par un motif mélodique commun.

Technical musical connection.

The ethical dilemmas presented are related to the core values of the society.

Les dilemmes éthiques présentés sont liés aux valeurs fondamentales de la société.

Connecting ethics to social values.

Common Collocations

closely related

directly related

distantly related

work-related

health-related

age-related

highly related

loosely related

related field

related party

Common Phrases

related to

— Connected to or associated with something else.

Is this related to the news?

on a related note

— Used to transition to a connected topic in conversation.

On a related note, the meeting is at 5 PM.

in a related development

— Used in news to introduce a connected event.

In a related development, the police made an arrest.

closely related to

— Having a very strong connection or similarity.

Spanish is closely related to Italian.

directly related to

— Having a clear and immediate connection.

The price is directly related to the cost of materials.

remotely related

— Having only a very small or distant connection.

The two ideas are only remotely related.

related issues

— Problems or topics that are connected to each other.

We need to address all related issues.

Often Confused With

related vs relative

A 'relative' is a person in your family; 'related' is the adjective describing the connection.

related vs relevant

'Relevant' means important to the topic; 'related' just means connected.

related vs relate

'Relate' is a verb meaning to tell a story or empathize; 'related' is an adjective.

Idioms & Expressions

"no relation"

— Used to clarify that two people with the same name are not in the same family.

My name is Smith, but I'm no relation to the famous actor.

informal

"kindred spirits"

— Two people who share the same feelings, values, or interests.

They became friends instantly; they are kindred spirits.

neutral

"cut from the same cloth"

— Very similar in character or nature.

The two brothers are cut from the same cloth.

informal

"blood is thicker than water"

— Family relationships are stronger than any others.

He helped his cousin because blood is thicker than water.

neutral

"birds of a feather flock together"

— People with similar interests or characters tend to spend time together.

All the musicians are hanging out; birds of a feather flock together.

informal

"kissing cousins"

— Things that are very similar or closely related.

The two car models are practically kissing cousins.

informal

"in the same boat"

— In the same difficult situation.

We are all in the same boat regarding the new taxes.

informal

"two of a kind"

— Two people or things that are very similar.

Those two are two of a kind; they both love old movies.

informal

"a chip off the old block"

— A person who is very similar to one of their parents.

He's a chip off the old block, just like his father.

informal

"peas in a pod"

— Two people who are very similar in appearance or behavior.

The twins are like two peas in a pod.

informal

Easily Confused

related vs associated

Both mean connected.

'Associated' is often used for organizations or concepts; 'related' is more general and used for family.

He is associated with the firm, but he is not related to the owner.

Sentence Patterns

Are you related to [Person]?

Are you related to John?

[Thing] is related to [Topic].

This book is related to history.

[Issue A] is closely related to [Issue B].

Pollution is closely related to health problems.

There are many [Noun]-related [Problems].

There are many work-related problems.

[Concept A] and [Concept B] are intricately related.

Art and culture are intricately related.

The [Phenomenon] is causally related to [Factor].

The warming is causally related to emissions.

On a related note, [New Topic].

On a related note, we have a meeting tomorrow.

The study explores how [X] is related to [Y].

The study explores how diet is related to sleep.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in both spoken and written English.

Common Mistakes

related with → related to
English uses 'to' to show the object of the relationship.
I have many relateds. → I have many relatives.
'Related' is an adjective, 'relative' is the noun for a family member.
The two events related yesterday. → The two events were related.
'Related' is an adjective describing a state, not an action that happens.
Is this relevant to the topic? → Is this related to the topic?
While often interchangeable, 'related' is more general; 'relevant' means it is important.
They are related since 2010. → They have been related since 2010 (if by marriage) or they are related.
Family relations are usually permanent states.

Tips

Use the right preposition

Always remember to use 'to' after 'related'. 'Related with' is incorrect.

Expand your synonyms

Try using 'associated' or 'linked' to avoid repeating 'related' too many times in one paragraph.

Asking about family

Asking 'Are you two related?' is a common way to find out if people are siblings or cousins.

Transition smoothly

Use the phrase 'On a related note' to move from one topic to another that is connected.

Be precise

In science, specify if things are 'causally related' or just 'statistically related'.

Look for compounds

Watch out for words like 'age-related' or 'health-related' in news articles.

Listen for the stress

The stress is on the 'LAY' part of the word. This helps you recognize it in fast speech.

Use adverbs

Use 'closely', 'directly', or 'loosely' to show how strong a connection is.

The 'Link' trick

Remember that 'related' starts with 're', like 're-link'. It links things back together.

Related vs Relevant

Make sure the connection you are describing is actually important to the conversation.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'RELated' as things that 'RE-Link' to each other. The 'RE' reminds you of a connection that goes back to a common source.

Visual Association

Imagine a family tree where every branch is 'related' to the trunk. Or imagine two puzzle pieces that are 'related' because they fit together.

Word Web

family link connection to closely unrelated logic cause

Challenge

Try to find three things in your room that are related to each other and explain why using the phrase 'related to'.

Word Origin

The word 'related' comes from the Latin 'relatus', which is the past participle of 'referre'. This literally means 'to bring back'.

Original meaning: In its earliest sense, it meant to carry or bring something back, which evolved into the idea of bringing back a story (relating a tale) and then to the idea of a connection between things.

Indo-European -> Latin -> Old French -> English.

Cultural Context

Be careful when asking if people are related; in some contexts, it might be seen as prying into private family matters.

In English-speaking countries, people often use 'related' to find common ground, especially in small talk about names or hometowns.

The TV show 'Relative Strangers' explores family connections. Einstein's 'Theory of Relativity' is a famous scientific use of the root word. The phrase 'Related Content' is a staple of modern internet culture.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Family

Are you related?
related by blood
distantly related
no relation

Science

closely related species
related variables
causally related
genetically related

Business

related expenses
related industries
work-related stress
related parties

Law

related crimes
related evidence
related statutes
related cases

Technology

related products
related searches
related articles
related links

Conversation Starters

"Are you related to anyone else who works at this company?"

"Do you think that success is more related to luck or hard work?"

"Are there any related topics you'd like to discuss in our next meeting?"

"How are the two main characters in the movie related to each other?"

"Do you have any related experience that would help with this project?"

Journal Prompts

Write about a time you discovered you were related to someone unexpected.

Explain how your current hobbies are related to your childhood interests.

Describe two news stories from this week that you think are related.

How is your physical health related to your mental well-being?

Think of a problem you solved recently. What were the related factors?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, in standard English, you should always use 'related to'. Using 'with' is a common mistake for learners.

No, it can mean any kind of connection. For example, 'The two topics are related' means they are about the same thing.

'Related' means there is a connection, while 'unrelated' means there is no connection at all.

You can use it to link topics, such as 'Please see the related documents attached' or 'On a related note, I will be away next week'.

It is neutral. It can be used in very formal scientific papers or in very casual conversations about family.

It means something is caused by or connected to your job, like 'work-related stress' or 'work-related travel'.

No, 'related' is the adjective form. 'Relate' is the verb. For example, 'I can relate to your problem'.

These are people or companies that have a pre-existing relationship, which might affect a legal or business deal.

Not exactly. Things can be related but look very different, like a father and daughter. 'Similar' means they look or act the same.

It is pronounced re-LAY-ted, with the stress on the middle syllable.