Cool MateRelatively vs Somewhat
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Relatively
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
Somewhat
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
| Relatively | Somewhat | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈrelətɪvli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈrelətɪvli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsʌmwɒt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsʌmwʌt/"]/ |
| Meaning | The same as or similar to something else; when comparing things. | To a certain degree or extent. |
| Example | The results are relatively similar to those from last year. | **somewhat different/similar** |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | relatively small, relatively new, relatively easy, relatively few | somewhat related, somewhat different, somewhat surprised, somewhat difficult, somewhat helpful |
| Antonyms | absolutely, entirely | completely, totally, absolutely |
| Common mistakes | Using 'relatively' without a comparison (e.g. saying 'relatively good' without context)., Confusing with 'relevant' which has a different meaning., Omitting the word it is comparing to, e.g., saying 'relatively' alone. | 'Somewhat' used incorrectly as an adjective., Confused with 'somewhat like' in contexts where 'somewhat' doesn’t need a comparison., Overusing 'somewhat' in sentences where a stronger adverb is necessary. |
| Usage notes | Use 'relatively' to compare things or show a connection. It's neutral, so it's suitable for both spoken and written English. Avoid in very informal settings. | Use 'somewhat' when you want to describe something that is not completely true but partially so. It's neutral, so it's suitable for both formal and informal contexts. |
Frequently asked questions: Relatively vs Somewhat
What's the difference between Relatively and Somewhat?
Relatively: The same as or similar to something else; when comparing things. Somewhat: To a certain degree or extent.
Are Relatively and Somewhat the same CEFR level?
Relatively: B2, Somewhat: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Relatively and Somewhat interchangeably?
Not always. Relatively and Somewhat are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.