correspondence: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Neutral
Quick answer
What does “correspondence” mean?
The exchange of letters or written communications.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The exchange of letters or written communications.
1. A close similarity, connection, or equivalence between two or more things. 2. Communication by sending and receiving letters, emails, etc. 3. The activity of writing letters to someone.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: 'correspondence' is identical. Usage: Slight preference for 'correspondence course' (UK) vs. 'distance learning' (US), though both terms are understood.
Connotations
Equally formal in both dialects.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both formal and business contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “correspondence” in a Sentence
correspondence with someonecorrespondence between X and Ycorrespondence to/with a standardin correspondence withVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “correspondence” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We correspond regularly by post.
- The accounts do not correspond with the invoices.
American English
- We correspond mostly by email now.
- His actions didn't correspond to his words.
adverb
British English
- The prices were adjusted correspondingly.
- As the workload increased, so too did the stress correspondingly.
American English
- Salaries rose, and living expenses increased correspondingly.
- The team expanded, and their responsibilities grew correspondingly.
adjective
British English
- She works as a correspondent for the BBC.
- There are correspondent changes in the budget.
American English
- He is a foreign correspondent for a major network.
- A decrease in demand led to correspondent price cuts.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to formal written communications, such as emails and letters with clients or between departments.
Academic
Used to discuss logical relationships, e.g., 'There is a direct correspondence between the variables.' Also refers to historical letters.
Everyday
Talking about keeping in touch with friends or family via letters or emails.
Technical
In mathematics and logic, denotes a relationship where each element of one set is linked to one or more elements of another set.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “correspondence”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “correspondence”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “correspondence”
- Using 'correspondence' for a single letter (prefer 'a letter' or 'an email').
- Misspelling as 'correspondance'.
- Using wrong preposition: 'correspondence of' instead of 'correspondence with/between'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while traditionally letters, it now includes emails and other formal written communication. It also has meanings in logic and mathematics.
Yes, in formal and academic contexts, e.g., 'There is a clear correspondence between the two diagrams.'
'Correspondence' is the noun for the communication or the relationship. 'Correspondent' is a noun for a person who writes letters or a journalist reporting from a location.
Usually uncountable. You say 'some correspondence' or 'a piece of correspondence' for a single item. 'A correspondence' is sometimes used in technical contexts (e.g., 'a one-to-one correspondence').
The exchange of letters or written communications.
Correspondence is usually formal, neutral in register.
Correspondence: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkɒr.ɪˈspɒn.dəns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkɔːr.əˈspɑːn.dəns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a correspondence course”
- “be in correspondence with”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a pen PAL: you write CORRESPONDENCE to CORRESPOND (match/communicate) with your friend's letters.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS A THREAD/CONNECTION (e.g., 'maintain a correspondence'), SIMILARITY IS ALIGNMENT (e.g., 'point-to-point correspondence').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'correspondence' LEAST likely to be used?