correlative: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “correlative” mean?
Having a mutual relationship in which each thing implies or depends on the other.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Having a mutual relationship in which each thing implies or depends on the other.
1. (Grammar) A word or concept that has a mutual relationship with another (e.g., 'either...or'). 2. (Logic/Mathematics) Indicating a reciprocal or parallel relationship between two variables or sets.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling.
Connotations
Slightly more common in American academic writing, especially in social sciences and linguistics.
Frequency
Low-frequency in everyday speech in both varieties; high-frequency in specialised academic/technical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “correlative” in a Sentence
be correlative with/to [noun]exist in a correlative relationshipfunction as correlativesVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “correlative” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The increase in supply and the decrease in price are correlative phenomena.
- In English grammar, 'neither' and 'nor' are correlative conjunctions.
American English
- Rights and duties are often correlative in legal theory.
- The study found a strong, correlative link between the two variables.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. May appear in market analysis reports discussing correlative trends between consumer confidence and spending.
Academic
Common in linguistics (correlative conjunctions), logic, statistics, sociology, and law (correlative rights and duties).
Everyday
Very rare. Would sound overly formal.
Technical
Common in scientific writing to describe variables that change together, though 'correlated' is more frequent.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “correlative”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “correlative”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “correlative”
- Using 'correlative' when 'correlated' is meant (e.g., 'The data is correlative' vs. 'The data is correlated'). 'Correlative' implies a necessary or definitional mutual relationship; 'correlated' is statistical.
- Misspelling as 'corelative'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Correlated' (often statistical) means two things tend to vary together. 'Correlative' implies a deeper, often logical or definitional, mutual relationship where one inherently implies or requires the other.
No, 'correlative' is not standardly used as a verb. The related verb is 'correlate'.
Pairs like 'either...or', 'neither...nor', 'both...and', 'not only...but also'. These are words that work together to connect balanced sentence parts.
It is not common for general everyday communication (A2-B1). It is an important academic/professional word for fields like linguistics, logic, law, and social sciences (B2-C1+).
Having a mutual relationship in which each thing implies or depends on the other.
Correlative is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Correlative: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈrɛl.ə.tɪv/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈrɛl.ə.t̬ɪv/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'co-RELATIVE' – two things that are RELATIVEd to each other CO-operatively.
Conceptual Metaphor
A HANDSHAKE or DANCE PARTNERSHIP (two entities acting in a mutually dependent, coordinated way).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'correlative conjunctions' most specifically used?