explain the correlation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "explain the correlation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to clarify the relationship or connection between two or more variables or concepts. Example: "In your research paper, please explain the correlation between social media usage and mental health outcomes."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

For that reason, differences in health insurance cannot explain the correlation between SES and treatment modality in The Netherlands.

British Journal of Cancer

So sex selection by parents before or at birth does not explain the correlation.

The New York Times - Health

Fleming was among the earliest to test the Barker hypothesis experimentally by asking what could biologically explain the correlation between birth weight and later disease.

The New Yorker

This was before Louis Pasteur established the germ theory of disease, and Semmelweis could not explain the correlation.

The Economist

That by itself could explain the correlation between high numbers of lifetime crises and low current mood, he said.

The New York Times - Health

The model form used to explain the correlation in BA is shown below.

Carbon Balance and Management

PLS-PM could be a useful statistical tool to explain the correlation among the variables from cephalometric analysis.

Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Using this environment, we show and explain the correlation between architectural limitations of the hardware extensions and the performance of virtualization.

Computer Science Review

Factor analysis (FA) attempts to explain the correlation between the observations in terms of the underlying factors, which are not directly observable (Yu et al. 2003).

Applied Water Science

This would suggest that a third factor, the private sector competitiveness, would explain the correlation between openness and the wage gap.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

The same postulation may also explain the correlation between migraine and various hearing problems that had been largely reported [21, 22].

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "explain the correlation", ensure you provide specific details or mechanisms that clarify the relationship between the variables you are discussing. Avoid vague or general explanations.

Common error

A common mistake is to assume that because you can "explain the correlation" there is a causal relationship. Always remember that correlation does not equal causation; further investigation is often needed to establish causality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "explain the correlation" serves as a directive or an expression of intent to clarify the statistical relationship between two or more variables. It highlights the objective of understanding and articulating the nature of their association. This aligns with the numerous examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

69%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "explain the correlation" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly within scientific and news contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to highlight the intent to clarify the statistical relationship between variables. While common, it's crucial to avoid the common error of assuming causation from correlation. Remember, providing a comprehensive explanation involves detailing specific mechanisms and avoiding vagueness. Alternatives like "clarify the relationship" and "elucidate the connection" offer similar but slightly different shades of meaning, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clarify the relationship

Replaces "explain" with "clarify", focusing on making the relationship clear.

elucidate the connection

Uses "elucidate" to emphasize bringing light or understanding to the connection.

interpret the association

Employs "interpret" to focus on understanding the meaning or significance of the association.

determine the cause of the correlation

Focuses on finding the causal factor behind the correlation.

understand the link

Uses simpler language to convey the same idea of understanding the link.

analyze the relationship

Replaces "explain" with "analyze", focusing on a detailed examination of the relationship.

account for the correlation

Shifts the focus to providing reasons or factors that explain the correlation.

investigate the correlation

Uses "investigate" to suggest a more in-depth exploration of the correlation.

decipher the correlation

Emphasizes the difficulty of understanding the correlation, suggesting a need to decode it.

unravel the connection

Suggests a complex connection that needs to be untangled to be understood.

FAQs

How can I use "explain the correlation" in a sentence?

You can use "explain the correlation" when you want to clarify the relationship between two or more variables. For example, "Researchers are working to explain the correlation between exercise and improved mental health."

What are some alternatives to "explain the correlation"?

Some alternatives include "clarify the relationship", "elucidate the connection", or "interpret the association", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "explain the correlation" and "prove causation"?

"Explain the correlation" means to clarify the relationship between two variables, while "prove causation" means demonstrating that one variable directly causes the other. Correlation doesn't necessarily imply causation.

Is it always necessary to "explain the correlation" when presenting data?

While not always strictly necessary, explaining the correlation provides valuable context and helps the audience understand the significance of the relationship between the variables. It enhances the clarity and depth of your analysis.