What does correspondently mean?
Correspondently is a formal adverb meaning 'in a corresponding manner' — that is, in a way that matches, answers to, or is equivalent to something else in kind, degree, or proportion. It is used when one thing stands in exact relation to another: duties may increase correspondently with responsibilities, or one document may contain clauses that answer point for point to those of another. The word derives from the verb 'correspond', ultimately from Latin roots meaning 'to respond together', and belongs to a family that includes 'correspondence', 'correspondent', and 'corresponding'. In modern usage it is distinctly uncommon, having been largely eclipsed by the near-twin adverb 'correspondingly', which dominates everyday English and covers both matching and consequential relationships. Correspondently survives mainly in legal, diplomatic, and academic contexts, where writers prize its precise emphasis on equivalence between two things rather than mere sequence or result. Readers encountering it should recognise it as legitimate but rare, and may prefer 'correspondingly' in general prose.
adverbIn a manner that corresponds or is equivalent to something else; in a way that matches or answers to something in kind, degree, or proportion.
- In a manner that corresponds to or matches something else in kind, degree, or proportion; answering to something point by point.
"The duties of the office increased correspondently with its salary."
"The committee's powers were expanded, and its funding obligations rose correspondently."
"Each clause in the treaty has a provision in the other language that corresponds exactly to it."
Correspondently has been quietly shadowing its far more popular sibling 'correspondingly' since the 17th century — most dictionaries barely give it a nod, yet it still turns up in formal legal and academic prose.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of correspondently
Correspondently is formed from the verb 'correspond', which entered English from French 'correspondre' in the late sixteenth century, itself derived from Medieval Latin 'correspondēre', built from Latin 'com-' (together) plus 'respondēre' (to answer). The adverbial form, created by adding '-ly' to the noun 'correspondent', appeared by the early seventeenth century. Its closest relatives are 'correspondence', 'correspondent', and 'corresponding'; the rarer 'correspondently' shares its core with these but never achieved their currency, remaining a marginal formal variant alongside the dominant 'correspondingly'.
Related word forms
How correspondently is actually used
Correspondently is rare and largely displaced by the more common 'correspondingly'. It appears chiefly in formal writing — legal, academic, and diplomatic prose. Some style-conscious writers treat it as an awkward variant to be avoided in favour of 'correspondingly', which carries both the 'matching' sense and the commoner causal sense ('as a result').
Easily confused with correspondently
Correspondingly means 'as a result or consequence' (one thing follows from another), while correspondently more narrowly emphasizes equivalence or matching correspondence between two things; correspondently is also much rarer and often considered an awkward variant.