''Relation''

[Rachel Adams]

Hello.

How does the meaning of ''relation'' change in plural?

If I understand correctly: ''Relation'' can be used in plural to refer to ''relationships''. ''Foreing relations''.
Or ''relatives''. ''Countable a person who is in the same family as somebody else, relative''. ''My relations/relatives.''
But
''[uncountable, countable]the way in which two or more things are connected.'' In this meaning ''relation'' can be used in plural.'' Right?

• relation between A and B the relation between rainfall and crop yields.
• relation to somethingthe relation of the farmer to the land.

The examples are from this online ditcionary. https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionari...ion?q=relation
The words are taken from Use of English by Virginia Evans.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Hello.

How does the meaning of ''relation'' change in plural?

If I understand correctly, relation can be used in plural to refer to relationships, foreign relations, relatives'', or [countable] a person who is in the same family as somebody else, a relative: my relations/relatives.

Yes.

But
''[uncountable, countable] The way in which two or more things are connected.'' In this meaning ''relation'' can be used in plural.'' Right?

• relation between A and B: the relation between rainfall and crop yields.
• relation to something: the relation of the farmer to the land.

No. That's why the examples are singular. Each is an example of one relationship.

The examples are from this online dictionary. https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionari...ion?q=relation
The words are taken from Use of English by Virginia Evans.

Use quotation marks for quotations.

 

[Rachel Adams]

Use quotation marks for quotations.

If it cannot be used in singular, why does the dictionary say "countable/uncountable"? In another example would it be possible to use "relations" in plural in this meaning? "The relations between rainfalls and crop yields."

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

If it cannot be used in singular, why does the dictionary say "countable/uncountable"?

I don't know.

In another example would it be possible to use "relations" in plural in this meaning? "The relation[STRIKE]s[/STRIKE] between rainfalls and crop yields."

Not in that one. Get rid of the s.

We talk about relations between people or between nations: Their relations have been rocky.

When you're talking about the effect things have on each other, like rain and crops, use relationship or relation.

 

[probus]

In AmE we refer to our extended family as our relatives. We never use relations in such contexts. But I believe in BrE you can call your extended family your relations.

 

[probus]

If it cannot be used in singular, why does the dictionary say "countable/uncountable"? In another example would it be possible to use "relations" in plural in this meaning? "The relations between rainfalls and crop yields."

It's hard to think of a reason one might need the plural there, but even if there is only one relationship between rainfall and yield, using the plural is a very small error.