Words / B2

kor-uh-LAYSHUN/ˌkɒrəˈleɪʃn/

A correlation is a linked pattern between two things: a correlation between sleep and scores, a strong / weak correlation. Correlate is the verb (already in the dictionary). Cause is stronger: a correlation is not automatically a cause. Link and connection are everyday. In speech, they go together in the figures is enough. Academic writing should say correlation, not proof. Do not write “correlation therefore cause”.

Meaning

A connection between two things in which one changes as the other does (not automatically a cause).

Examples

• “There is a correlation between sleep and exam scores.”
• “There is a correlation between rainfall and delays, but the cause may be flooding, not the rain gauge.”
• “A perfect correlation would be suspicious in messy human data.”

Good to know

A linked pattern (not automatically a cause). Verb: correlate. Everyday: they go together in the figures. Not proof of cause.

Near in meaning

link

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