What does pertaining mean?
“Pertaining to” is a formal preposition meaning concerning, relating to, or connected with a particular subject. It is commonly used in legal, administrative, academic, and technical writing to introduce the matter to which a statement applies. For example, regulations pertaining to employment, a report pertaining to safety, or questions pertaining to a proposal all concern a specific topic. Its distinctive feature is its formal, somewhat impersonal tone: it emphasizes a relationship between the statement and its subject without adding much emotional nuance. The expression can often be replaced by “about” or “concerning” in less formal contexts, but “pertaining to” is especially useful when precision and professional register are important. It is also a present participle of “pertain,” meaning to be relevant or connected.
Indicating that something is relevant to, connected with, or concerned with a particular subject or matter.
"The committee reviewed all proposals pertaining to the new policy."
Almost always used in the pattern “pertaining to.” It is formal and is especially common in legal, technical, and administrative prose.
Relevant or connected with a particular subject or matter.
"The researchers gathered all pertinent data pertaining to the study."
This adjective use is much less common than the prepositional phrase “pertaining to” and is usually formal.
“Pertaining to” gives formal language a precise way of saying what is simply “about” something—without losing its professional edge.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pertaining come from?
“Pertaining” is the present participle of “pertain,” which comes through Middle English from Anglo-French and ultimately from Latin pertingere, meaning “to reach, extend, or have reference to.” The Latin root combines the prefix per- with tenere, “to hold.” Related English words include “pertinent,” “pertinacious,” and “impertinent,” all associated with the same idea of relation or bearing on a subject.
Related word forms
How pertaining is actually used
This is a formal or technical expression, common in legal, academic, and administrative writing. In ordinary conversation, “related to,” “about,” or “concerning” will often sound more natural.
Easily confused with pertaining
“Pertaining to” means relevant or connected with something, whereas “pretending” means behaving as if something is true when it is not.