In relation to means compared with, relative to, or about. Cost in relation to income is cost compared with income; the entrance in relation to the main road shows where it sits; questions in relation to the booking are simply about it. It's formal and common in reports and IELTS Writing Task 1; in conversation, about is simpler.
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in relation to + reference point, topic or comparison
- The report examines travel time in relation to distance.
- The diagram shows the entrance in relation to the main road.
- We received two questions in relation to the booking process.
What changed
First versionThe diagram shows the entrance in relation with the main road.
RevisionThe diagram shows the entrance in relation to the main road.
Relationship with and in connection with make with feel natural: in relation with. But in this phrase relation takes to: in relation to the main road. The same to appears in with regard to and in addition to.
Regarding and about simply introduce a topic: two questions about the booking. In relation to also compares or sets a reference point: the price in relation to quality. Relations in the plural are ties between people or countries: relations with China.
Your turn
The study compares the cost in relation ___ the number of users.
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to — In this phrase, relation takes to. With comes from in connection with, a different phrase.
Judge something by comparison: a phone's price against its quality, or salaries against the cost of living in your city. Use in relation to.
The rent here is high in relation to local salaries.
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