relate

/ri'leit/

Friendly

Explanation of the Word "Relate"

Definition: The verb "relate" means to show or establish a connection between things or to tell someone about something. It can also refer to the way people understand or connect with each other.

Usage Instructions

• Basic Use: You can use "relate" when talking about how things or ideas are connected.
• Common Forms:
  • "relate" (present)
  • "related" (past)
  • "relating" (present participle)

Examples

1. To Show Connection:

   • "How are these two observations related?" (This asks if there is a connection between the two observations.)

2. To Tell a Story:

   • "The witness related the events of the accident." (This means the witness told what happened in the accident.)

3. To Understand Others:

   • "She relates well to her peers." (This means she understands and connects with her friends easily.)

Advanced Usage

• Logical Connection: You might say, "I cannot connect these two pieces of evidence in my mind," meaning you find it hard to see how they fit together logically.
• Complex Relationships: "These facts colligate to form a larger understanding." (This means the facts come together to create a more comprehensive idea.)

Word Variants

• Related (adjective): Connected or associated.
  • Example: "These topics are related."
• Relation (noun): The way in which two or more things are connected.
  • Example: "Their relation is based on mutual respect."

Different Meanings

1. Personal Connection:

   • "I can relate to your feelings." (This means you understand or empathize with someone’s feelings.)

2. Describing Connections:

   • "The two stories relate to each other in theme." (This means the stories share a common theme.)

Synonyms

• Connect
• Associate
• Link
• Narrate (when talking about telling a story)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs

• Relate to: To understand or empathize with someone.

  • Example: "I can really relate to what you're going through."

• Relate back to: To refer back to something mentioned earlier.

  • Example: "Her comment relates back to the previous discussion."

Summary

In summary, "relate" is a versatile verb that can be used to express connections between ideas, tell stories, or describe personal understanding.

Academic

Verb

1. have or establish a relationship to
   • She relates well to her peers
2. be in a relationship with
   • How are these two observations related?
3. give an account of
   • The witness related the events
4. be relevant to
   • There were lots of questions referring to her talk
   • My remark pertained to your earlier comments
5. make a logical or causal connection
   • I cannot connect these two pieces of evidence in my mind
   • colligate these facts
   • I cannot relate these events at all

Synonyms

• interrelate
• refer
• pertain
• concern
• come to
• bear on
• touch
• touch on
• have-to doe with
• associate
• tie in
• link
• colligate
• link up
• connect