Word: pertains

Associations

The word "pertains" means to relate to something or be about something. It is often used to discuss connections between ideas, subjects, or topics.

• Example 1: "The book pertains to modern history." This means the book is about modern history.
• Example 2: "This rule pertains to all employees." Here, it indicates that the rule applies to all employees.
• Example 3: "His comments pertain to the project deadline." In this case, his comments are about the project deadline.

A synonym for "pertains" is "relates." However, "relates" can imply a broader or less direct connection, while "pertains" suggests a more specific and direct relevance to the topic at hand.

Substitution

In place of "pertains," you could use:

• "relates" (the connection is broader).
• "concerns" (implies something is of interest regarding the topic).
• "applies" (suggests relevance in a practical sense).

Deconstruction

The root word is "tain," which comes from Latin "tenere," meaning "to hold" or "to keep." The prefix "per-" means "through" or "for." Thus, "pertains" tells us that something is held through or is specific to a context or subject.

Inquiry

• In what situations have you experienced something that "pertains" to your interests or studies?
• Can you think of a conversation where something you wanted to say "pertained" to the topic but was not understood?
• How might the meaning of "pertains" shift in different contexts, like legal or casual conversations?