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Prepositions after adjectives

Unrelated to, in, or with?

Unrelated is normally followed by to when you mean that two things have no connection. In and with usually belong to another part of the sentence, not directly to unrelated.

Quick answer

Which preposition goes with unrelated?

Use unrelated to for a lack of connection between people, ideas, events, or subjects. Unrelated in and unrelated with are generally not standard combinations as complements after the adjective.

The two cases are unrelated to each other.
His comment was unrelated to the discussion.
The injury is unrelated to her previous condition.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
unrelated to + noun

Showing no connection

Use to after unrelated when comparing two things or topics.

The delay was unrelated to the weather.
These findings are unrelated to the earlier study.
2
unrelated to + activity or issue

Separating a subject from another issue

This pattern is common in formal and professional English.

The complaint is unrelated to product quality.
Her question was unrelated to the main topic.
3
unrelated + adjunct with in

Using in for place or context

In can appear after unrelated as a separate phrase of place or context, not as the selected preposition.

The reports are unrelated in content.
The twins look unrelated in appearance.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
unrelated to
His symptoms are unrelated to stress.
Standard pattern meaning there is no connection.
unrelated in
The books are unrelated in style.
In introduces an area or respect, not the main complement.
unrelated with
The phrase unrelated with is uncommon in current standard English.
Usually replace it with unrelated to.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using unrelated with as the main pattern

Modern standard English normally uses to after unrelated.

✕ The issue is unrelated with my work. ✓ The issue is unrelated to my work.

Confusing the complement with a context phrase

In may describe an area of difference, but the main connection still uses to.

✕ The accident was unrelated in the policy. ✓ The accident was unrelated to the policy.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The two events were ___ each other.
2. Her answer was unrelated ___ the question.
3. The paintings are unrelated ___ style.

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Frequently asked questions

Is unrelated with correct?

It is uncommon in current standard English. Unrelated to is the usual form.

Can I say unrelated in?

Yes, when in introduces an area such as style, appearance, or content rather than the main complement.

Can unrelated describe people?

Yes. You can say two people are unrelated to each other.

ubiquitous in, on, across, throughout or for? "ugly in", "ugly for" or "ugly of"? ultimate in, of, for, on or as? "unacceptable to", "unacceptable in" or "unacceptable for"? unaccounted for unaccustomed to or in? unacquainted with unaffected by, in, for or with? "unaffordable for" or "unaffordable to"? unanimous in, on, about, regarding or for? "unattractive to" or "unattractive for"? "unavailable for" or "unavailable to"?

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