correlate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "correlate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to explain a relationship between two or more ideas, facts, or events. For example: "There appears to be a strong correlation between students' grades and the amount of time they spend studying."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Other researchers have shown that searches for job-related terms are a good predictor of unemployment rates and that mentions of political candidates on Twitter correlate with electoral outcomes.Dr Bollen spotted another curious correlation.

The Economist

Besides the correlation with lung cancer, the T variant also seemed to correlate with peripheral arterial disease, another common side-effect of smoking.

The Economist

If age, gender and class correlate with this bias, then smart weighting might fix it.

The Guardian - Opinion

While some may long for the muted sensory world of winter – the hushed din and dulled scents of a blanketed metropolis – the city's signature, ebullient blaring tends to correlate with a welcome uptick in the mercury, summer street garbage be damned.

The Guardian - Opinion

A reduction in quality vocational education appears to correlate with increased youth unemployment.

The Guardian

"We made an unexpected observation on the connection between readability and literary success – that they correlate into the opposite directions," said Choi.

The Guardian - Books

In short, it's more heat that seems to correlate with more disease, and not more chemicals.

The Guardian

And the concomitant widespread belief that the scientific consensus on climate change is some form of conspiracy or hoax.The thing is, whlle it makes sense that character types correlate with political persuasions, it doesn't make sense to attribute specific political beliefs to character types.

The Economist

As in other states, the Latino population in Texas is younger, poorer and less educated than the general population: all these characteristics correlate well with low turnout.

The Economist

The better that real prices correlate with the unknown option price, the more confidently you can take on any level of risk.

The Economist

It will also reinforce concerns about how "fat-tail", or extreme, risks correlate: might SocGen's risk managers have been too distracted by its subprime woes to keep watch on the futures desk?

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "correlate", ensure that you specify the variables or factors that are being related to provide clarity and context. For example, instead of saying "The data correlates", specify "The data correlates income with education level".

Common error

A common mistake is assuming that because two variables "correlate", one causes the other. Always remember that correlation does not equal causation; further investigation is needed to establish a causal relationship.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "correlate" is as a verb. It describes the act of establishing a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things. Ludwig shows many examples where "correlate" links concepts, data, or events.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "correlate" is a versatile verb used to describe a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English for expressing relationships between ideas, facts, or events. Its high frequency across various contexts, especially in news and media, science, and formal business writing, underscores its importance in conveying associations. While correlation implies a relationship, it's crucial to remember it doesn't establish causation. As Ludwig exemplifies, specifying variables and avoiding causal assumptions are key to using "correlate" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show a connection

Focuses on revealing a relationship, implying that the connection might not be immediately obvious.

exhibit a relationship

Highlights the demonstration of a relationship that is present and can be observed.

demonstrate an association

Emphasizes the act of proving or showing a connection between two or more things.

establish a link

Indicates the creation or confirmation of a connection between items.

indicate a pattern

Suggests the presence of a recurring or predictable arrangement that connects different elements.

are associated with

Implies a general connection without specifying the nature or strength of the relationship.

are related to

Conveys a broad sense of connection or belonging between items.

have a bearing on

Suggests that one thing has an influence or effect on another.

are in agreement

Highlights that 2 or more things are similar.

go hand in hand

Emphasizes a strong and inseparable connection between two things, implying they often occur together.

FAQs

How do you use "correlate" in a sentence?

You can use "correlate" to show a relationship between two or more things. For example, "Researchers found that higher education levels "correlate" with higher income".

What can I say instead of "correlate"?

Alternatives to "correlate" include "are associated with", "are related to", or "show a connection", depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "correlate" and "cause"?

"Correlate" indicates a relationship or pattern between two things, while "cause" means that one thing directly leads to another. Two things can "correlate" without one causing the other.

Which is correct, "correlate with" or "correlate to"?

"Correlate with" is generally preferred. While "correlate to" isn't incorrect, "correlate with" is more commonly used and sounds more natural to native English speakers.