a blurred line between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a blurred line between" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the distinction between two concepts, categories, or ideas is unclear or ambiguous. Example: "There is often a blurred line between personal and professional relationships in the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

There is a blurred line between health and enhancement.

The New York Times - Science

There's a bullying strain to the modern fitness ethos, a blurred line between cheerleading and hectoring.

The New York Times

Undercover agents tread a blurred line between law enforcement and the criminal demimonde, but so does their handler.

The New York Times

The main characters here are actors, walking a blurred line between their own lives and those they portray onstage.

The New York Times

"I had my small talk with the dead," he says, and each poem suggests a blurred line between the living and the deceased.

The Economist

For Maron, staying true to himself has frequently resulted in a blurred line between his business life and his personal life, and he's had few qualms about mining his personal life for comedic material.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Frykholm says in an interview with VICE that many readers she's interviewed over the years described a highly "absorbed reading" of Left Behind that resulted in a very blurred line between fact and fiction, with people effectively expecting the events being recounted in the novel to soon appear on television.

Vice

"The play takes place in a wide range of locations and explores an often blurred line between the real and the supernatural," explains Becker.

Princeton University

The blurred line between a fictional and off-screen persona has already become a cliche, deftly undermined in the HBO series "Curb Your Enthusiasm".

The New York Times - Arts

But they have identified a few patterns: exploration of the blurred line between virtual and actual lives; a focus on politics and environmental damage; the use of computer technology in making works; the merging of different genres, like performance art, film and sculpture.

The New York Times - Arts

The blurred line between a company's news apparatus and its business-side relationship with Facebook is a wonderful example of how Facebook's tactics in the market can have negative results for users.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a blurred line between", ensure that the two concepts you are comparing are clearly defined, even if the line separating them is not. This provides context and prevents ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a blurred line between" when the two concepts are entirely distinct. This phrase is most effective when there is a genuine area of overlap or uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a blurred line between" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object of a preposition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It highlights a lack of clear distinction between two concepts or entities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a blurred line between" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed idiom for indicating a lack of clear distinction between two concepts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and identifies its presence across various domains. While appearing most often in news and media, it's versatile enough for formal and informal contexts. Alternatives like "a fine line between" or "a gray area between" can provide slightly different shades of meaning. Remember to use this phrase when there's genuine overlap or uncertainty, avoiding overgeneralization. When writing, make sure that the concepts compared are defined to maintain clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fine line between

Indicates a subtle distinction, where the difference is delicate and requires careful consideration.

a gray area between

Suggests a lack of clear-cut rules or standards, where the situation is not easily categorized.

an indistinct boundary between

Emphasizes the lack of a clear border or division separating two entities or concepts.

a lack of distinction between

Directly states the absence of a clear difference between two or more things.

an overlapping area between

Highlights shared characteristics or elements that make differentiation challenging.

an absence of demarcation between

Emphasizes the absence of a clear separation or boundary.

a merging of

Focuses on the process of two or more things combining or blending into one.

a blending of

Similar to "a merging of", but implies a smoother, more integrated combination.

a convergence of

Indicates a coming together or merging of different elements or ideas.

a fluid relationship between

Implies a flexible and changeable connection, where boundaries are not fixed.

FAQs

How can I use "a blurred line between" in a sentence?

You can use "a blurred line between" to describe situations where the distinction between two things is unclear or indistinct. For example, "There is "a blurred line between friendship and love"."

What is an alternative to saying "a blurred line between"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a fine line between", "a gray area between", or "an indistinct boundary between" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a blurred line between"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "a blurred line between" is a common and accepted idiom in English to describe a lack of clear distinction.

What does it mean when there is "a blurred line between" two things?

It means that the difference or boundary between those two things is not clear or well-defined. They may overlap, or it may be difficult to distinguish one from the other.