student asking question

I'm not sure about the differences between "relational" "relative" and "related". What's the differences?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

They are similar in some ways! "Relational" means how two or more things or people are connected. As an adjective, "relative" is more of a comparative to something else or to a certain degree of something else. "Relative" is also a noun meaning a family member related by blood. "Related" means that someone or something belongs to the same family, group, or type - they're connected in some way. But "related" can also just mean a general connection between one or more things. Ex: Sometimes couple's relational situation requires someone, like a counsellor, to help them. Ex: Ryan went upstairs to let Cathy have relative peace while working. Ex: A distant relative of mine messaged me and said they want to meet up. Ex: Swans are related to ducks. Ex: This is completely unrelated to what we were speaking about, but...

Popular Q&As

12/22

Complete the expression with a quiz!