With Relation to vs. In Relation to – Which is Correct?
Both phrases are grammatically possible, but “in relation to” is the standard, more natural choice for formal and everyday writing. “With relation to” is uncommon and can sound awkward, although it may appear when emphasizing an association or connection. Prefer “in relation to” unless context specifically supports “with relation to.”
With Relation to or In Relation to: Which Is Correct?
Both with relation to and in relation to are understandable English phrases, but they are not equally common. In relation to is the established and preferred expression in American English. It means “concerning,” “regarding,” or “when compared with.”
With relation to is not necessarily grammatically impossible, but it is rare and often sounds awkward or nonstandard in modern usage. Writers usually replace it with in relation to, regarding, concerning, or with regard to.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the “inside a connection” memory trick: when you are discussing something within a relationship, comparison, or context, use in relation to. You can also apply the replacement test: if regarding or compared with fits the sentence, in relation to is usually the correct choice.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| in relation to | Prepositional phrase | Concerning, compared with, or connected to | The report examined costs in relation to performance. |
| with relation to | Prepositional phrase | A less common way to express connection or association | The wording is unusual with relation to modern usage. |
How to Use With Relation to
With relation to can convey a connection between two subjects, but it is uncommon in contemporary American English. It may occur in older, highly formal, translated, or specialized writing. In most situations, choosing in relation to will make the sentence sound clearer and more natural.
Do not confuse this phrase with the much more common expression with regard to. If you mean “about” or “concerning,” with regard to is generally preferable to with relation to.
Example 1: The study found no significant difference with relation to the participants’ age.
Example 2: The policy was unclear with relation to remote employees.
Example 3: The author made a brief observation with relation to social responsibility.
Etymology of the Phrase With Relation To
The phrase combines with, an Old English preposition associated with accompaniment or connection, and relation, which comes through Old French from Latin relatio, meaning “a bringing back,” “report,” or “connection.” Although the components are individually familiar, the complete phrase has never become as established as in relation to.
How to Use In Relation To
In relation to is a standard prepositional phrase used to introduce the subject being discussed, compared, or connected. It can mean regarding, concerning, in connection with, or when compared with.
The phrase is suitable for academic writing, business communication, journalism, legal documents, and everyday speech. However, it can sometimes sound wordy. In a concise sentence, alternatives such as about, regarding, or compared with may be better.
Example 1: The company revised its policy in relation to workplace safety.
Example 2: Her salary is high in relation to her level of experience.
Example 3: The court issued new guidance in relation to digital privacy.
Etymology of the Phrase In Relation To
In relation to developed from the preposition in, meaning “within” or “with respect to,” and relation, derived from Latin relatio through French. The phrase became established as a way to describe a connection, comparison, or subject of discussion.
Related Concepts
Understanding prepositions and fixed phrases helps explain why in relation to is preferred even though with relation to may seem logically possible.
- Prepositional phrases: A prepositional phrase begins with a preposition and connects a noun or noun phrase to the rest of a sentence. Both expressions function this way.
- Fixed expressions: English often favors established combinations of words rather than combinations that are merely grammatically understandable. “In relation to” is the conventional combination.
- Comparison: “In relation to” can introduce a comparison, as in “The price is low in relation to the quality.”
- Formal alternatives: “Regarding,” “concerning,” and “with regard to” can often replace “in relation to,” depending on the intended meaning.
Examples from Media and Literature
The preferred phrase appears frequently in formal nonfiction, journalism, academic discussion, and literary analysis. These examples illustrate common patterns rather than reproducing quotations.
- News reporting: A report may discuss new regulations “in relation to public health,” meaning that the regulations are being considered in connection with public health.
- Academic writing: A research paper may analyze educational outcomes “in relation to household income,” introducing a comparison between the two factors.
- Legal writing: A court document may refer to a person’s rights “in relation to the investigation,” meaning rights connected with that investigation.
- Business writing: A financial article may evaluate a company’s growth “in relation to its competitors,” comparing its performance with theirs.
- Literary criticism: An essay may examine a character “in relation to the novel’s central themes,” explaining how the character connects to those themes.
Practice Exercises
Choose the phrase that best completes each sentence.
- The researchers compared the results ______ the participants’ education levels. (with relation to / in relation to)
- The memo explained the new requirements ______ employee benefits. (with relation to / in relation to)
- The expression “with relation to” is uncommon ______ modern American usage. (with relation to / in relation to)
- The manager requested clarification ______ the revised contract. (with relation to / in relation to)
- The product is inexpensive ______ similar products on the market. (with relation to / in relation to)
Answer Key
- in relation to — It introduces a comparison with the participants’ education levels.
- in relation to — It means “concerning” employee benefits.
- in relation to — This is the established phrase for discussing modern usage.
- in relation to — It means “regarding” the revised contract.
- in relation to — It compares the product with similar products.
With Relation To Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| with regard to | Concerning or regarding; the most natural close alternative in formal writing |
| regarding | About or concerning a particular subject |
| concerning | Relating to or involving a specific matter |
| connected with | Having a relationship or association with something |
In Relation To Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| regarding | About or concerning a subject |
| concerning | In connection with or relating to something |
| with regard to | With respect to a particular subject |
| compared with | When measured against or considered alongside something else |
| in connection with | As associated with or related to something |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “with relation to” grammatically correct?
It is understandable and may be found in some writing, but it is uncommon and often sounds awkward. In most situations, use the standard phrase in relation to instead.
Question 2: Is “in relation to” formal?
Yes. “In relation to” is appropriate in formal, academic, professional, legal, and journalistic writing. In casual writing, shorter alternatives such as “about” or “regarding” may sound more direct.
Question 3: What is the difference between “in relation to” and “with regard to”?
Both can mean “concerning” or “regarding.” However, “in relation to” can also emphasize comparison or connection, while “with regard to” usually focuses simply on the subject being discussed.
Conclusion
In relation to is the correct and preferred choice for nearly all modern English writing. Although with relation to can be understood, it is uncommon and may distract readers. Use “regarding,” “concerning,” or “with regard to” when a shorter or more natural alternative is appropriate. Pro Tip: Choosing established phrases improves clarity and protects your professional reputation.
