be closely related

Meaning

This expression is used to describe people who are near relatives in a family tree, such as siblings, parents, or first cousins. It can also be used metaphorically to show that two ideas, concepts, or things share a very strong connection or similarity.

Examples

• Are you and Sarah sisters? No, but we are closely related; she's my first cousin.

  Are you and Sarah sisters? No, but we are closely related; she's my first cousin.

• The two languages are closely related, so learning Spanish helped me understand Italian.

  The two languages are closely related, so learning Spanish helped me understand Italian.

• Because they are closely related, the brothers share many of the same physical traits.

  Because they are closely related, the brothers share many of the same physical traits.

• Researchers found that these two bird species are closely related genetically.

  Researchers found that these two bird species are closely related genetically.

• The sudden increase in sales and our new marketing campaign are closely related.

  The sudden increase in sales and our new marketing campaign are closely related.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They are close related to each other.

  ✓ They are closely related to each other.

  Use the adverb 'closely' to modify the participle 'related', not the adjective 'close'.

• ✗ I am closely related with my uncle.

  ✓ I am closely related to my uncle.

  Use the preposition 'to' after 'related' when talking about family connections or associations.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Even though they live in different countries, the two families are ___.

  💡 They share grandparents.

  Show answer

  closely related

• The police believe the two crimes are ___.

  💡 They happened in the same way.

  Show answer

  closely related