a negative correlation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a negative correlation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which two variables have an inverse relationship: as one increases, the other decreases. For example, "There was a negative correlation between hours spent studying and scores on the final exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And as a matter of fact, there might be a negative correlation.

The New York Times

Indeed, he noticed a negative correlation of 0.07.

The Economist

As the number of ingredients increased, the structural integrity decreased, with a negative correlation coefficient of -0.24.

The Guardian

For some reason, a bank's desire to lend you money has a negative correlation to your need for it".

The New York Times

Pressing me to admit a negative correlation between disability and happiness, Singer presents a situation: imagine a disabled child on the beach, watching the other children play.

The New York Times - Magazine

Still, a negative correlation can be excluded.

Health Economics Review

Moreover, a negative correlation between MT and salinity was found.

Marine Environmental Research

simonii, having a negative correlation with the steady infiltration rate.

International Journal of Coal Science & Technology

TOC has a negative correlation with OI values (Fig. 7).

Journal of Petroleum Exploration and Production Technology

A negative correlation has the effect of attenuating my estimates.

IZA Journal of Migration

There was a negative correlation between age and IIEF.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the strength of "a negative correlation", use specific statistical measures like Pearson's r to provide a precise indication of the correlation's magnitude. For example, specify "a negative correlation" of r = -0.7, indicating a strong inverse relationship.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "a negative correlation" implies direct causation. Just because two variables move in opposite directions does not necessarily mean one causes the other. There might be other factors influencing both variables.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a negative correlation" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It denotes an inverse relationship between two variables, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples across scientific and journalistic contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

72%

News & Media

26%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a negative correlation" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe an inverse relationship between two variables, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's most frequently used in scientific and journalistic contexts. When using this phrase, be specific about the strength of the correlation and avoid implying causation. Remember to consider alternative phrases like "an inverse correlation" or "an opposing relationship" to add nuance to your writing. Finally, bear in mind that the use of the word does not imply causality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an inverse correlation

This alternative emphasizes the inverse relationship between two variables, highlighting that they move in opposite directions.

an opposing relationship

This phrase focuses on the contradictory nature of the relationship, indicating that the variables work against each other.

a negative association

This term is a more general way to describe the link between two variables where one decreases as the other increases.

an inverse proportionality

This option suggests a mathematical relationship where the product of two variables remains constant.

a contrary connection

This alternative stresses the conflicting nature of the link between the variables.

a detrimental link

This phrase indicates that the relationship has a harmful effect, implying one variable negatively impacts the other.

a reverse dependence

This suggests that the value of one variable is inversely determined by the value of another.

no correlation

This indicates the complete absence of any relationship, whether positive or negative, between the variables.

an inverse variation

This alternative underscores the changing nature of the relationship, where the variables change in opposite directions.

a weakening association

This suggests that as one variable increases, the other decreases, implying a gradual decline in their relationship.

FAQs

How do I use "a negative correlation" in a sentence?

You can use "a negative correlation" to describe an inverse relationship between two variables. For example: "There is "a negative correlation" between smoking and life expectancy".

What's the difference between "a negative correlation" and "no correlation"?

"A negative correlation" indicates that as one variable increases, the other decreases. "No correlation", on the other hand, means there's no discernible relationship between the two variables.

What are some alternatives to "a negative correlation"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "an inverse correlation", "an opposing relationship", or "a negative association".

Does "a negative correlation" mean that one variable causes the other?

No, ""a negative correlation"" only indicates a relationship, not necessarily causation. Other factors might be involved, or the relationship could be coincidental. Further investigation is needed to establish causality.