corresponding

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   Matching or paired with something else because it holds the same position, role, or value in a different set or situation.

   Grammar: Comes before the noun it describes: the corresponding figure for last year.

   Patterns

   • the corresponding something
   • something corresponding to something

   Compare this quarter's sales with the corresponding quarter last year.

   Each button on the remote has a corresponding icon on the screen.

   Match every word in the first column with its corresponding definition.

2. 2adjectivebefore a noun

   Following naturally from, or changing in proportion to, another change or event.

   Grammar: Often follows an increase or decrease: a corresponding rise, not a rise corresponding.

   Patterns

   • a corresponding increase/decrease in something

   Higher fuel prices led to a corresponding rise in bus fares.

   She worked fewer hours and took a corresponding cut in pay.

   Demand fell sharply, with a corresponding drop in production.

Common combinations

corresponding figure

The corresponding figure for the previous year was much lower.

corresponding increase

Rising rents bring a corresponding increase in the number of roommates.

corresponding period

Rainfall was double that of the corresponding period last year.

corresponding section

Please read the corresponding section of the manual before you begin.

with a corresponding decrease

Prices rose, with a corresponding decrease in sales.

Synonyms and how they differ

matching

Matching stresses that two things look or fit alike, while corresponding stresses that each one sits in the same place in a parallel set.

equivalent

Equivalent focuses on equal value or effect, whereas corresponding focuses on being the counterpart in a pairing.

respective

Respective separates items belonging to different people one by one, while corresponding links an item to its partner.

parallel

Parallel suggests two things developing side by side, while corresponding points to a one-to-one link.

Opposites

Word family

correspond verb

to match, or to exchange letters

correspondence noun

a close match, or letters and emails exchanged

correspondent noun

a reporter, or someone who writes letters

correspondingly adverb

in a matching or proportionate way

Commonly confused: corresponding or corresponded?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “corresponding”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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