suggests a correlation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "suggests a correlation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that there is a relationship or connection between two variables or phenomena based on evidence or observation. Example: "The data collected from the study suggests a correlation between exercise frequency and improved mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The interactive also suggests a correlation between an occupation's digital requirements and its pay.

Harvard Business Review

A recent study suggests a correlation between idiopathic scoliosis in adolescence and eating disorders.

Research in Developmental Disabilities

Alpa data suggests a correlation between the increase in CDP penalties and declines in the sales of food (10%), meat (20%) and baby food (28%).

The Guardian

Here, some emerging research suggests a correlation between people who spend money purchasing loot boxes to acquire new in-game items and scores on measures of problematic gambling.

The Guardian - Games

It suggests a correlation between electron transfer processes and accumulated charge carriers dominated by non-equilibrium conditions.

Electrochimica Acta

Additionally, the observed similarity between GNB spacing and equiaxed cell size suggests a correlation between these microstructural features.

Acta Materialia

The idea isn't new; Stanley Kubrick's last film, "Eyes Wide Shut," suggests a correlation between wealth and kink, between power and control of the environment, between money and bondage (stocks and bonds).

The New Yorker

Only scarce clinical evidence suggests a correlation between peripheral NK activation and self-limited HCV infection13,14, but the dynamic function of intrahepatic NK cells has not been carefully studied.

Nature

The finding by Schwartz, the Johns Hopkins epidemiologist, on premature births suggests a correlation between fracking and poor human health; but because the chemical trigger wasn't identified, the link isn't regarded as causal.

Yale University

Some research suggests a correlation between a company's stance on environmental and social issues and its long-term performance, but none yet shows a causal relationship between them.

The Economist

One study suggests a correlation between moral distress and aspects of burnout, and other researchers report that nurses have considered leaving their position or even their profession because of moral distress.

Journal of Emergency Nursing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "suggests a correlation", ensure the evidence supports the claim, but avoid overstating the strength of the relationship. It is appropriate when a direct causal link hasn't been proven.

Common error

Avoid implying causation when only a correlation is observed. Just because two variables move together doesn't mean one causes the other. Always consider other potential explanations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "suggests a correlation" functions as a qualifying statement to indicate a possible statistical relationship between two or more variables without asserting direct causation. This is supported by Ludwig's examples showing its common use in research and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "suggests a correlation" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a potential relationship between two variables without claiming direct causation. Ludwig's examples show its widespread use in scientific, news, and formal contexts. Remember to avoid implying causation without sufficient evidence, and use the phrase when a pattern or association is observed but further investigation is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

indicates a relationship

Uses "indicates" instead of "suggests", implying a slightly stronger connection.

implies a connection

Replaces "suggests" with "implies", indicating a less direct but still noticeable relationship.

hints at a link

Employs "hints at" to convey a subtle or tentative association.

points to an association

Uses "points to" to highlight a directional relationship or link.

demonstrates a relationship

Replaces "suggests" with "demonstrates", indicating a more evident and supported connection.

reveals a connection

Uses "reveals" to imply that the connection was previously hidden or not obvious.

establishes a correlation

Suggests a more formal and statistically significant relationship.

uncovers a pattern

Focuses on identifying a recurring or predictable relationship.

there's a tentative link

Expresses the idea with a different sentence structure and emphasizes tentativeness.

could be related

Presents a more speculative possibility of a connection.

FAQs

How can I use "suggests a correlation" in a sentence?

You can use "suggests a correlation" to indicate a possible relationship between two or more variables. For example, "The study "suggests a correlation" between exercise and improved mood".

What are some alternatives to using "suggests a correlation"?

Alternatives include "indicates a relationship", "implies a connection", or "hints at a link", depending on the desired level of certainty.

Is it accurate to use "suggests a correlation" if there is no proven causation?

Yes, "suggests a correlation" is appropriate when a relationship is observed, but causation hasn't been established. It acknowledges the potential connection without claiming a direct cause-and-effect relationship.

What's the difference between ""suggests a correlation"" and "proves causation"?

"Suggests a correlation" indicates a potential relationship between two variables, whereas "proves causation" implies that one variable directly causes the other. Causation requires rigorous evidence and controlled experiments, while correlation simply observes a pattern.