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MissTerry Posted 16 years ago
Vocabulary
Be related
What do you usually say if two people belong to one family? (They can be close or distant relatives.) Which sentence is more common? Is "be related" more formal?
1. They are relatives.
2. They are related.
1. She is her relative.
2. She is related to her.
1. They are relatives.
2. They are related.
1. She is her relative.
2. She is related to her.
Top answer
I would say, they are related, she is her relative. I gcan't give you a erason why that is just the way I would say it. All sentences are correct.
- I would say, they are related, she is her relative.
- I gcan't give you a erason why that is just the way I would say it.
- All sentences are correct.
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15 Answers
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I would say, they are related, she is her relative. I gcan't give you a erason why that is just the way I would say it. All sentences are correct.
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MissTerry 1. They are relatives.
2. They are related.
1. She is her relative.
2. She is related to her. Your first pair are more common and less confusing.
I don't understand your question about "be related." All four of your examples use the verb "to be." Could you illustrate what you mean?
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Avangi
I was wondering which is more common "relative" or "related" when you talk about people from one family.
I can't see when it'd better say "They are relatives." and when "They are related."
I was wondering which is more common "relative" or "related" when you talk about people from one family.
I can't see when it'd better say "They are relatives." and when "They are related."
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It's pretty much of a tossup, in my experience.
As a question, you'd ask, "Are they related?"
You'd less likely ask, "Are they relatives?" - But it's certainly possible.
Why do they stick together like that? (reply) They're relatives.
Less likely - They're related to each other.
(Blood is thicker than water.)
As a question, you'd ask, "Are they related?"
You'd less likely ask, "Are they relatives?" - But it's certainly possible.
Why do they stick together like that? (reply) They're relatives.
Less likely - They're related to each other.
(Blood is thicker than water.)
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As I see there’s no rule about using “related” or “relative”. It’s only experience.
Could you look at these sentences? Which pattern is better.
1. They are alike. It seems to me they are related / It seems to me they are relatives.
2. Is she related to you? / Is she your relative?
3. Is he their son? – No, they
Could you look at these sentences? Which pattern is better.
1. They are alike. It seems to me they are related / It seems to me they are relatives.
2. Is she related to you? / Is she your relative?
3. Is he their son? – No, they
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Which pattern is better.
1. They are alike. It seems to me they are related / It seems to me they are relatives.
2. Is she related to you? / Is she your relative?
3. Is he their son? -
1. They are alike. It seems to me they are related / It seems to me they are relatives.
2. Is she related to you? / Is she your relative?
3. Is he their son? -
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Yes, you're quite right about "which". It was my mistake.
Avangi2. Is she related to you? / Is she your relative?What about "Is she a relative of yours?" Or "Is she related to you?" is better anyway?
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Both versions are natural and common.
Perhaps if the question came up during a discussion about family members, "Is she a relative of yours?" might be the preferred choice. But "Is she your relative?" would not be unnatural.
Perhaps if the question came up during a discussion about family members, "Is she a relative of yours?" might be the preferred choice. But "Is she your relative?" would not be unnatural.
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Could you explain me in which situation you'd prefer to use "Is she related to you?" and when you'd prefer "Is she a relative of yours?"
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One difference which comes to mind is the case of famous people, living or dead. I'm related to Jack Kennedy. We're related to the Kennedys. These may be people you never see.
However, when we speak of "distant relatives " or "close relatives" we're not thinking in terms of physical distance, but rather in terms of the complexity or the obscurity of the connection.
Jack
However, when we speak of "distant relatives " or "close relatives" we're not thinking in terms of physical distance, but rather in terms of the complexity or the obscurity of the connection.
Jack
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