Pertained

Pertained is the past tense and past participle of the verb pertain. In general use, to pertain means to relate to, be relevant to, or belong to someone or something. The most common construction is pertain to, as in The clause pertained to all members of the committee. A sentence in the past tense would read The clause pertained to all members.

Etymology and forms: pertain derives from Latin pertinere, meaning to reach toward or belong to, and entered English through Old French and early English in the Middle Ages. The present tense forms are pertain and pertains; the present participle is pertaining, and the noun form pertaining to is frequently used in adjectival phrases.

Usage notes: pertain is relatively formal and more common in written or legal contexts than in everyday speech. In contemporary writing, speakers often prefer relate to or concern, depending on nuance. The phrase pertaining to is a common adjectival construction meaning "having to do with" or "concerning," as in documents pertaining to the case. In legal or administrative texts, pertain/pertains is used to indicate applicability or relevance to a group, matter, or duty.

Examples: The rules pertain to all students. The report pertained to the budget and staffing. The documents pertaining to the contract were reviewed.

See also: pertain, pertinence, relevant, applicability.