What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
relation
Example
There is a close relation between the two concepts. [relation: noun]
Example
She is my distant relation on my mother's side. [relation: noun]
connection
Example
I have a strong connection with my childhood friend. [connection: noun]
Example
The computer is not making a connection to the printer. [connection: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Connection is more commonly used than relation in everyday language. Connection is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while relation is less common and tends to be used in more formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between relation and connection?
Relation is generally considered more formal than connection. While connection can be used in both formal and informal contexts, relation is typically reserved for more formal situations such as academic writing or legal documents.
