What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
correlate
Example
There is a strong correlation between smoking and lung cancer. [correlation: noun]
Example
The study aimed to correlate the participants' age with their physical activity levels. [correlate: verb]
compare
Example
Let's compare the prices of these two laptops before making a decision. [compare: verb]
Example
There are many similarities between the two novels when you compare them side by side. [compare: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Compare is more commonly used than correlate in everyday language. Compare is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while correlate is less common and is typically used in scientific or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between correlate and compare?
Correlate is often associated with a formal and technical tone, while compare can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
