correspond
B2Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To have a close similarity, match, or agreement; to be equivalent.
To communicate by exchanging letters, emails, or messages; to be analogous or comparable to something else.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb has two main branches of meaning: 1) matching or being analogous, and 2) exchanging written communication. The choice of meaning depends heavily on the preposition used (to, with, about).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the 'exchange letters' sense, 'correspond' is somewhat more common and slightly more formal in British English than in American English, where 'write to' or 'email' is often preferred in casual speech.
Connotations
In British English, 'correspond' can sound slightly old-fashioned when referring to letter-writing. In American English, it is often reserved for more formal or ongoing professional exchanges.
Frequency
The 'match' sense is equally frequent in both varieties. The 'communicate' sense is less frequent in general American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
correspond to [something]correspond with [someone/something]correspond about [something]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms directly with 'correspond']”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to describe matching data ("The figures don't correspond") or formal written communication ("He corresponds with head office weekly").
Academic
Common in mathematics, sciences, and social sciences to denote equivalence or a one-to-one relationship ("Each point on the graph corresponds to a data value").
Everyday
Most often used for matching descriptions or situations ("His story doesn't correspond with the facts"). Less common for casual communication.
Technical
In computing and mathematics: establishing a mapping or relationship between sets.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The witness's account didn't quite correspond with the CCTV footage.
- We corresponded for a while after meeting at the conference.
American English
- The budget numbers need to correspond exactly to the proposal.
- She corresponds regularly with her colleagues abroad.
adverb
British English
- The tasks were arranged correspondingly.
American English
- The payments were made correspondingly.
adjective
British English
- The corresponding chapter in the textbook.
- Please review the corresponding invoice.
American English
- Check the corresponding entry in the ledger.
- Fill out the corresponding form online.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My description corresponds to the picture.
- The two friends correspond by email.
- The map symbols correspond to the legend below.
- He corresponds with a pen pal in France.
- The economic data does not correspond with the government's optimistic reports.
- Historians often correspond with colleagues to share findings.
- The theoretical model corresponds remarkably well to the observed phenomena.
- The two scholars corresponded extensively on the nuances of the translation.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: CORRESPOND = COincide + RESPOND. It either coincides (matches) with something, or is how you formally respond (in writing).
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS A CONNECTION ("We've corresponded for years"). SIMILARITY IS ALIGNMENT ("Their views correspond").
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'correspond' to translate 'корреспондировать' in all contexts. For business 'to account for', use 'вести учёт'. For 'correspond with' as 'write to', 'переписываться с' is correct.
- Do not confuse 'correspond to' (=соответствовать) with 'respond to' (=реагировать на).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect preposition: 'correspond with' (for matching) vs. 'correspond to' (for equivalence). 'His actions correspond with his words' is less standard than '...to his words'.
- Using 'correspond' for casual texting or chatting; it implies more formal, written exchange.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'correspond' in the sense of 'exchange letters'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Correspond to' usually means 'to be equivalent or analogous to' (The American 'first floor' corresponds to the British 'ground floor'). 'Correspond with' typically means 'to exchange letters with someone' or, less commonly, 'to match or be in agreement with' something (His story corresponds with the evidence).
It can be. In the 'match' sense, it is neutral and common in technical and general contexts. In the 'exchange letters' sense, it is more formal than 'write to' or 'email'.
Typically, no. 'Correspond' implies a formal or sustained exchange of written communication (letters, formal emails). Using it for casual texting or instant messaging would sound odd and overly formal.
The primary noun is 'correspondence'. It covers both meanings: written communication (e.g., business correspondence) and a close similarity or match (e.g., a correspondence between two sets of data).