lack of correlation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lack of correlation" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an expression used to describe two or more items that are not related to each other. For example, you could say "Despite our hypothesis, we found a lack of correlation between the two variables."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The currency is where the only lack of correlation is," Mr. Leach of Wells Fargo said, although he acknowledged that it wasn't there over the last three years.

The New York Times

In fact, the evidence shows a surprising lack of correlation between spending and success.

The Economist

This lack of correlation indicates the complexity of (preferential) unsaturated flow within the discrete fracture network.

Journal of Contaminant Hydrology

Indeed, lack of correlation occurs but in a few special cases.

EJNMMI Research

DECT-based volumetric BMD assessment showed lack of correlation with areal DEXA (r = 0.4205).

European Radiology Experimental

The lack of correlation between the global contrast measure and data dimensionality supports this conclusion.

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Absence of an arrow indicates a lack of correlation between variables.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

The findings, some say, underscore the lack of correlation between pay and performance.

Forbes

Likewise, a lack of correlation doesn't disprove causality.

Huffington Post

You'll use the lack of correlation between GDP and species listings as one of your unscrupulous arguments.

Huffington Post

Likely reasons for the lack of correlation is that the structures of human and rabbit eyes are quite different.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lack of correlation", clearly state the two or more variables or items between which the correlation is absent to avoid ambiguity. For example: "There is a lack of correlation between exercise and weight loss in this study."

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "lack of correlation" automatically implies causation in the opposite direction. Absence of correlation simply means the variables are not related in a predictable way; it doesn't prove they actively negate each other.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of correlation" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It is used to describe the absence of a statistical relationship between two or more variables. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is frequently used in scientific and analytical contexts to report findings or discuss potential relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

73%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lack of correlation" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe the absence of a statistical relationship between variables. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, serving the purpose of negating hypothesized relationships or suggesting further areas of investigation. While alternatives like "absence of association" or "no relationship" exist, "lack of correlation" offers a specific and formal tone suitable for technical writing. It's crucial to avoid misinterpreting it as evidence of inverse causation and to clearly specify the variables in question for clarity. The phrase's high frequency and presence in authoritative sources indicate its established usage in formal English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absence of association

Replaces "correlation" with "association", focusing on the absence of a link.

no relationship

A simpler and more direct way to state the absence of a connection.

disconnect between

Highlights the separation or lack of connection between two elements.

independence of

Emphasizes that two things are not dependent on each other.

divergence of

Suggests that two things are moving in different directions or are not aligned.

non-correspondence

A more formal term indicating a lack of matching or agreement.

absence of interplay

Focuses on the lack of interaction or reciprocal influence.

no discernible link

Emphasizes that any potential connection is not apparent or obvious.

lack of interdependence

Highlights that two things are not reliant on each other.

failure to correlate

Focuses on the unsuccessful attempt to find a correlation.

FAQs

How can I use "lack of correlation" in a sentence?

You can use "lack of correlation" to describe the absence of a relationship between two or more variables. For example: "The study found a "lack of correlation" between education level and income in that specific region."

What are some alternative ways to express "lack of correlation"?

Instead of saying "lack of correlation", you could use phrases like "absence of association", "no relationship", or "disconnect between" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "lack of correlation" in formal writing?

Yes, "lack of correlation" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in scientific, academic, and professional contexts where precise language is important.

What does "lack of correlation" imply about causation?

"Lack of correlation" does not imply causation. It simply means that two variables do not appear to be related in a predictable way. Further investigation is needed to determine if there is a causal relationship or if other factors are involved.