Meaning & use
correlation
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A statistical measure of how closely two things change together.
Grammar: Often used with 'between' or 'with': a correlation between X and Y.
Patterns
- correlation between something and something
- correlation with something
- a positive/negative correlation
The study found a strong correlation between hours of study and exam scores.
There is a negative correlation between smoking and life expectancy.
Economists noted a correlation between inflation and unemployment.
nouncountable or uncountable
A connection or relationship between two or more things.
Grammar: Can be used in a general sense without numbers: there is little correlation.
Patterns
- correlation between something and something
- a correlation with something
There is a clear correlation between poverty and crime rates.
The report showed no correlation between the two events.
Scientists observed a correlation in the data.
Word forms
| plural | correlations |
|---|
Common combinations
- positive correlation
- There is a positive correlation between exercise and heart health.
- negative correlation
- A negative correlation was found between stress and sleep quality.
- strong correlation
- The data revealed a strong correlation between the two variables.
- weak correlation
- The researchers found only a weak correlation between the two factors.
- correlation coefficient
- The correlation coefficient was 0.85, indicating a strong relationship.
Synonyms and how they differ
- relationship
- Broader and less technical; can refer to any connection, not just statistical.
- association
- Similar in meaning but often used in medical or social contexts.
- link
- More general and informal; does not imply a measured statistical relationship.
Opposites
Word family
- correlate verb
- To have a mutual relationship or connection.
- correlated adjective
- Having a mutual relationship or connection.
- correlational adjective
- Relating to or involving correlation.
Commonly confused: correlation or causation? correlation or relation?
correlation vs causation
Causation means one thing directly causes another; correlation only means they change together, not that one causes the other.
correlation vs relation
Relation is a broader term for any connection; correlation is more specific to statistical or mutual change.
Practice
Which sentence correctly uses 'correlation'?
Choose one answer.
The standard preposition is 'between' for two variables: 'correlation between the two variables'. 'Of', 'among', and 'for' are not used in this context.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “correlation”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.