Definition

1. Verb:
   • To be similar or equivalent in character, function, or position: To have a close similarity or to be analogous to something else.
   • To be in agreement or harmony; to match: To be consistent or compatible with something.
   • To communicate by exchanging letters or messages: To engage in written communication with someone over a period of time.

Usage

• To be similar/equivalent: Use "correspond" to indicate that one thing is similar to, represents, or is the equivalent of another, often in a different system or context.
• To match/agree: Use "correspond" to state that two or more things are consistent, compatible, or in alignment with each other.
• To exchange letters: Use "correspond" to describe the act of writing letters or messages to someone regularly.

Examples

• To be similar/equivalent:
  • The U.S. Secretary of State corresponds to the British Foreign Secretary.
  • In this code, the number 7 corresponds to the letter 'G'.
• To match/agree:
  • The witness's description did not correspond with the suspect's appearance.
  • The results of the two experiments correspond perfectly.
• To exchange letters:
  • They corresponded for years before finally meeting in person.
  • She corresponds with a scientist in Germany about their research.

Advanced Usage

• "Correspond to": Used to indicate equivalence, similarity, or a matching relationship.
  • The chapters in the book correspond to the weeks in the course syllabus.
• "Correspond with": Used to indicate agreement/compatibility or the act of exchanging letters.
  • Your actions should correspond with your words. (agreement)
  • He still corresponds with his old army friends. (exchanging letters)

Variants and Related Words

• Correspondence (n):
  • Communication by letters: The letters exchanged between people.

    • Their correspondence is stored in the museum.
  • A close similarity or connection: The state of corresponding.

    • There is a clear correspondence between the two theories.
• Corresponding (adj): Analogous or equivalent; related.
  • She was given a new role with corresponding responsibilities.

Synonyms

• Match: To correspond exactly.
• Agree: To be in harmony or accordance.
• Conform: To comply with rules, standards, or laws.
• Parallel: To be similar or analogous.
• Equate: To consider one thing as equal or equivalent to another.

Phrasal Verbs / Common Collocations

• Correspond to: To be equivalent or analogous to something.
  • The ancient city's agora corresponds to a modern public square.
• Correspond with:
  • To exchange letters with someone.

    • Do you still correspond with your pen pal?
  • To be consistent or in agreement with something.

    • The data must correspond with our initial hypothesis.

Related Idioms

• In correspondence with: Engaged in writing letters to someone.
  • He has been in correspondence with the author for months.
• Bear correspondence to: (Formal) To have a similarity or relationship to something.
  • The map's symbols bear no correspondence to the legend.

Verb

1. take the place of or be parallel or equivalent to
   • Because of the sound changes in the course of history, an 'h' in Greek stands for an 's' in Latin
2. exchange messages
   • My Russian pen pal and I have been corresponding for several years
3. be equivalent or parallel, in mathematics
4. be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics
   • The two stories don't agree in many details
   • The handwriting checks with the signature on the check
   • The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun