Relate vs. Correlate — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 24, 2024
Relate generally means to establish a connection or association between things, while correlate implies a statistical or mutual relationship where changes in one variable mirror changes in another.
Difference Between Relate and Correlate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Relate is a broad term that encompasses any type of connection or association between concepts, events, or objects. For example, one might relate a historical event to a modern issue to show similarities. Whereas, correlate specifically refers to a quantifiable, often statistical, relationship where one variable changes in direct relation to another. This is frequently used in scientific and research contexts to discuss data patterns.
The verb "relate" can be used in both personal and impersonal contexts. People often use it to describe connections in narratives or shared experiences, as in relating a story or an emotion. On the other hand, "correlate" is primarily used in a more formal, scientific setting. It involves measuring and analyzing the degree to which two variables move in synchronization with each other.
Relate also functions in psychological and sociological contexts, such as understanding how individuals relate to each other or to societal norms. This usage underscores the social or emotional dimensions of interaction. Correlate, however, is devoid of emotional context and focuses solely on the relationship between data sets, often used to predict or confirm certain hypotheses.
In everyday language, people might use "relate" to explain understanding or empathy towards another's situation—saying they can relate to someone's feelings. Whereas, "correlate" is unlikely to be used in casual conversation, reserved for discussing correlations in studies or reports.
"Relate" is part of the broader narrative skills that are crucial in literature, everyday communication, and historical analysis, helping to weave complex relationships between various elements. Correlate, by contrast, is indispensable in fields like statistics, economics, and sciences, providing a crucial methodological tool for interpreting data relationships.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To show or establish a connection.
To show a statistical relationship.
Usage Context
General, broad usage.
Specific, often scientific.
Emotional Context
Can be emotional or personal.
Impersonal, data-focused.
Example Domains
Literature, everyday communication.
Statistics, economics, science.
Linguistic Complexity
Often simple and narrative-based.
Technical and precise.
Compare with Definitions
Relate
To make a connection between things.
He related the symptoms to the diagnosis.
Correlate
To establish a statistical relationship between variables.
The study correlated smoking with lung cancer.
Relate
To have a relation or connection.
All topics in the course relate to biology.
Correlate
To match or pair things.
The software correlates data from different sources.
Relate
To identify with or understand.
I can relate to your feelings about the movie.
Correlate
To align or correspond.
Test results correlate closely with the predictions.
Relate
To link or associate.
The teacher related the historical event to current politics.
Correlate
To use correlation as a method.
Researchers correlate variables to study climate change.
Relate
To tell or narrate something.
She related her experiences during the trip.
Correlate
To have a mutual relationship or connection.
Increased exercise correlates with decreased stress levels.
Relate
Make or show a connection between
A supercomputer could relate all those factors
The study examines social change within the city and relates it to developments in the country as a whole
Correlate
To establish or demonstrate as having a correlation
Correlated drug abuse and crime.
Relate
Feel sympathy for or identify with
Kids related to him because he was so rebellious
Correlate
To be related by a correlation.
Relate
Give an account of; narrate
Various versions of the story have been related by the locals
Correlate
Related by a correlation, especially having corresponding characteristics.
Relate
To give an account of (an occurrence, for example); narrate.
Correlate
Either of two correlate entities; a correlative.
Relate
To establish or demonstrate a connection between
I related his grumpiness to a lack of sleep.
Correlate
(transitive) To compare things and bring them into a relation having corresponding characteristics.
Relate
To have connection, relation, or reference
How education relates to income.
A question relating to foreign policy.
Correlate
(intransitive) To be related by a correlation; to be correlated.
Relate
To have or establish a social relationship; interact
She relates well to her peers.
Correlate
Either of a pair of things related by a correlation; a correlative.
Relate
To understand or react favorably to someone or something
I just can't relate to these new fashions.
Correlate
To have reciprocal or mutual relations; to be mutually related.
Doctrine and worship correlate as theory and practice.
Relate
(transitive) To tell in a descriptive way.
The captain related an old yarn.
Please relate the circumstances of your journey here today.
Correlate
To put in relation with each other; to connect together by the disclosure of a mutual relation; as, to correlate natural phenomena.
Relate
(transitive) To bring into a relation, association, or connection (between one thing and another).
Correlate
One who, or that which, stands in a reciprocal relation to something else, as father to son; a correlative.
Relate
(intransitive) To have a connection.
The patterns on the screen relate to the pitch and volume of the music being played.
Correlate
Either of two correlated variables
Relate
(intransitive) To interact.
Correlate
To bear a reciprocal or mutual relation;
Do these facts correlate?
Relate
(intransitive) To respond through reaction.
Correlate
Bring into a mutual, complementary, or reciprocal relation;
I cannot correlate these two pieces of information
Relate
To identify with; to understand.
I find it difficult to relate to others because I'm extremely introverted.
Correlate
Mutually related
Relate
(obsolete) To bring back; to restore.
Relate
To bring back; to restore.
Abate your zealous haste, till morrow next againBoth light of heaven and strength of men relate.
Relate
To refer; to ascribe, as to a source.
Relate
To recount; to narrate; to tell over.
This heavy act with heavy heart relate.
Relate
To ally by connection or kindred.
Relate
To stand in some relation; to have bearing or concern; to pertain; to refer; - with to.
All negative or privative words relate positive ideas.
Relate
To make reference; to take account.
Reckoning by the years of their own consecration without relating to any imperial account.
Relate
Make a logical or causal connection;
I cannot connect these two pieces of evidence in my mind
Colligate these facts
I cannot relate these events at all
Relate
Have to do with or be relevant to;
There were lots of questions referring to her talk
My remark pertained to your earlier comments
Relate
Give an account of;
The witness related the events
Relate
Be in a relationship with;
How are these two observations related?
Relate
Have or establish a relationship to;
She relates well to her peers
Common Curiosities
Can feelings or emotions be correlated?
Typically, correlation refers to statistical data; emotional experiences are generally related, not correlated.
Can correlate be used in personal discussions?
It's less common, as correlate is typically used in more formal or scientific contexts.
Why is correlate important in research?
It helps researchers find and define relationships between variables, often predicting outcomes.
What does it mean to relate an incident?
It means to narrate or describe the incident, showing its connection to other relevant matters.
How do relate and correlate differ in scientific research?
"Relate" is used for general connections, while "correlate" implies a specific statistical relationship.
What is an example of using relate in a sentence?
"She related the novel's themes to real-world events."
What does it mean to relate to someone's experience?
It means to understand or empathize with their experience, feeling a connection to it.
Is it correct to say that happiness correlates with wealth?
Yes, if studies show a statistical link between higher wealth and greater happiness.
What is an example of using correlate in a sentence?
"The data shows that increased screen time correlates with reduced physical activity."
Can relate and correlate be used interchangeably?
No, because relate is for general connections and correlate for specific statistical relationships.
Is there a negative form of correlate?
Yes, variables can negatively correlate, meaning as one increases, the other decreases.
How can I use relate in a professional setting?
You can use it to describe or explain how different areas of work are connected.
How can understanding correlation help in everyday life?
It can assist in making informed decisions based on patterns observed in data.
How do you determine if two variables correlate strongly?
By calculating the correlation coefficient, a measure of how closely two variables move in relation to one another.
What tools are used to determine correlation?
Statistical tools like correlation coefficients and scatter plots.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
