pertain

Pertain is a verb meaning to relate to, be relevant to, or belong to a particular matter or domain. In modern English it is most common in formal or legal writing. The usual construction is pertain to, as in: The provisions pertain to tax obligations.

Etymology: The word derives from Middle English pertainen, from Old French partenir, from Latin pertinere “to belong to, to relate to” (per- “through” + tenere “to hold”). The sense of relating or belonging developed in Early Modern English and persists in contemporary usage.

Usage notes: Pertain is intransitive and takes the preposition to; it does not take a direct object (“pertain the case” is incorrect). The participle pertaining is common in adjectival phrases such as “pertaining to the case.” Related noun forms include pertinence (the quality of being relevant) and adjective forms such as pertinent (relevant). In many contexts, synonyms include relate, concern, and apply; pertain tends to be more formal and often legal in tone.

See also: pertinent, pertinence, relate, relevance. Examples: “These rules pertain to all employees.” “The issues pertaining to the contract require careful review.”