In the past, city relative was a correspondent (5,4)

I believe the answer is:

agony aunt

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'a correspondent' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'in the past city relative' is the wordplay.
'in the past' becomes 'ago' (synonyms).
'city' becomes 'ny' (short for New York).
'relative' becomes 'aunt' (aunt is a kind of relative).
'ago'+'ny'+'aunt'='AGONY AUNT'

'was' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for agony aunt that I've seen before include "Newspaper columnist who offers personal advice to readers" , "Egeria" , "Newspaperwoman who solves personal problems" , "Columnist offering advice" , "Newspaper problems columnist" .)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.

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