How to use "be related to"

What Does "be related to" Mean?

The expression be related to is a versatile collocation used to describe a connection between two or more things. It primarily functions in two ways: first, to indicate a genealogical or familial bond between people; and second, to show a logical, causal, or thematic link between abstract concepts, facts, or events.

The meaning is largely compositional, as it combines the state of being with the adjective "related" and the preposition "to." However, it is often treated as a fixed unit in English instruction. Its register is neutral, making it equally appropriate for casual conversation, journalism, and academic research.

How to Use It

The grammatical pattern is [Subject] + be (conjugated) + related + to + [Object].

Typical Objects: The object following "to" is usually a noun or noun phrase representing a person (for family ties), a cause (for medical/scientific contexts), or a topic (for general discussions).
Separability: Unlike some phrasal verbs, the components of this expression are not typically separated by the object. However, adverbs of degree often modify the adjective (e.g., "closely related to," "distantly related to").
What sounds unnatural: Using the wrong preposition is the most frequent error. Saying "related with" or "related at" sounds non-native. Additionally, using "be related to" for physical proximity (like "the chair is related to the table") is incorrect; it must imply a logical or biological link.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from be related to on Ludwig.guru.

"You could be related to me." — theguardian.com

"Could their symptoms be related to that?" — nytimes.com

"And everything should be related to prosperity." — nytimes.com

"It may be related to your age." — princeton.edu

"The Basque language appears to be related to no other." — nytimes.com

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
be associated with	Suggests a frequent connection or mental link; often used in scientific or professional contexts.
be linked to	Stronger suggestion of a direct or causal connection, common in news reporting.
be akin to	More formal; suggests that two things are similar in character or spirit.
pertain to	Highly formal; used to indicate that something has a direct relevance to a topic.
be connected to	A very common, neutral alternative that can refer to physical, digital, or logical links.

Common Mistakes

Wrong Preposition: Learners often use the wrong preposition, saying 'related with' instead of 'related to'. While "with" is used with the verb "associate," it is incorrect with "related."
Confusion with 'relative': Using the noun form when the adjective is required (e.g., "I am relative to him" instead of "I am related to him").

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Meaning	Grammatical Pattern	Register
be related to	To have a biological or logical connection	Subject + be + related + to + Object	Neutral

FAQs

Can the components of be related to be separated by an object?

No, the parts of be related to must stay together in that specific order and cannot be split by the direct object. You can, however, place an adverb between "be" and "related" to modify the strength of the connection, such as saying someone is "closely related to" another person.

What is the difference between be related to and be associated with?

While both describe connections, be related to often implies a structural, biological, or essential link, whereas be associated with suggests a more general correlation or a frequent occurrence together. For example, a symptom might be related to a specific disease (cause), but a lifestyle choice might simply be associated with a certain demographic.

Is it correct to say something is related with another thing?

No, saying related with is a frequent error made by English learners. In English, the adjective "related" strictly requires the preposition "to" to indicate the target of the connection; using "with" will sound unnatural to native speakers.

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