Reading Theme:
Correspondence: Meaning, Usage & Examples (3 meaning)
Meaning 1：exchange of letters (correspondence)
correspondence
/ˌkɔːrəˈspɒndəns/
n.
Letters that people send to each other, especially over a long period of time.
exchange of letters
➕
/ɪksˈtʃeɪndʒ əv ˈletərz/
n.
The act of sending and receiving written messages, typically over an extended period.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'cor-' (together) + 'respondere' (to answer), meaning mutual response.
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'co-respond' – letters answering together over time.
📖 Example
My grandmother keeps all her correspondence with her old friends in a beautiful wooden box.
My grandmother preserves all her letter exchanges with old friends in a lovely wooden box.
🔗 Collocations
personal correspondence – Private letters exchanged between individuals.
business correspondence – Official letters related to commercial matters.
keep up correspondence – To continue exchanging letters regularly.
🔄 Synonyms
letters (n.) – Written messages sent through mail.
mail (n.) – Items sent by post, including letters.
communication (n.) – The exchange of information.
🚫 Antonyms
silence (n.) – Absence of communication or response.
non-communication (n.) – Lack of exchange of information.
🌱 Derivatives
correspondent (n.) – A person who writes letters or reports.
correspond (v.) – To exchange letters or to be in agreement.
📖 Cultural Story
Originates from Latin 'correspondentia', meaning agreement or harmony. Now commonly used in formal contexts like business or legal written communication.
Meaning 2：close similarity or connection (correspondence)
correspondence
/ˌkɔːrəˈspɒndəns/
n.
A close similarity or connection between two things; when things match or agree with each other.
close similarity or connection
➕
/kloʊs ˌsɪməˈlærəti ɔr kəˈnɛkʃən/
n.
A state where two or more things are alike or connected in a significant way.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
There is a perfect correspondence between what we learned in class and the tasks we do at our internship.
There is an exact match between our classroom learning and internship tasks.
🔗 Collocations
direct correspondence – A one-to-one matching between elements.
lack of correspondence – Absence of agreement or similarity.
establish correspondence – To create a connection or match.
🔄 Synonyms
similarity (n.) – The quality of being alike.
agreement (n.) – Harmony or concord in opinions or facts.
correlation (n.) – A mutual relationship between things.
🚫 Antonyms
difference (n.) – The state of being unlike.
disagreement (n.) – Lack of consensus or harmony.
🌱 Derivatives
correspondent (adj.) – Matching or equivalent in some aspect.
Meaning 3：formal communication process (correspondence)
correspondence
/ˌkɔːrəˈspɒndəns/
n.
The process of communicating or exchanging information, especially in a formal or official way.
formal communication process
➕
/ˈfɔːrməl kəˌmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃən ˈproʊsɛs/
n.
The systematic exchange of information, often in written form, for official or professional purposes.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
All correspondence regarding your application should be sent to the admissions office via email.
All communication concerning your application must be emailed to the admissions office.
🔗 Collocations
official correspondence – Formal letters or emails from authorities.
email correspondence – Communication conducted via email.
handle correspondence – To manage incoming and outgoing messages.
🔄 Synonyms
communication (n.) – The act of conveying information.
exchange (n.) – The giving and receiving of something.
dispatch (n.) – Sending off something, especially messages.
🚫 Antonyms
isolation (n.) – State of being separated from others.
🌱 Derivatives
correspondence course (n.) – A course conducted by mail or online without physical attendance.
Wordbook
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