a loose parallel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a loose parallel" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when drawing a comparison between two things that are similar but not identical, often in a more general or flexible sense. Example: "While the two stories are quite different in their details, there is a loose parallel in their themes of redemption and forgiveness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

I'd draw a loose parallel between Marty and Steve Allen.

The New York Times - Sports

A probabilistic elastic brittle behaviour is assumed at the micro-level and the evolution law of damage results as a sum, through a loose parallel bundle of size Nt (Daniel's model) over all the micro-states.

Structural Safety

(There is a loose parallel with instrumental reasoning, which decides the best means to achieve ends laid down by inclination. In Kant's terms, both are heteronomous—"directed by another").

SEP

The game takes place in the fantasy land of Lunar, a small habitable world orbiting the massive, barren blue planet (known as the Blue Star), forming a loose parallel between the game's world and the Earth and its moon.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

The β-form of chitin is rare; it occurs in pens of mollusks and is characterized by a loose-packing parallel chains fashion with weak intermolecular interactions and higher solubility and swelling than α-form; β-chitin was prepared from the pens of the squid Ommastrephes bartrami [ 21, 22], Loligo species, and cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) [ 18, 23– 25].

BioMed Research International

Indeed, Ms. Cooke's story was especially potent because of the loose parallels Ms. Wilson drew between her own life and that of the journalist.

The New York Times

I groan at the name "God particle" (so why use it?), but it is hard to ignore the loose parallels that occasionally exist with religious endeavour.

The Guardian

Loose parallels might be drawn to cellulases and chitinases, which efficiently degrade highly ordered, macromolecular, carbohydrate substrates.

Plosone

The structure includes a loose bundle of three parallel NHR helices and three CHR helices forming a tripod.

Biochemistry

Outside a youthful imagination, the parallel is a loose one.

The New York Times

Cases where species with similar phenotypes are grouped together rather than with their true relatives have been considered as evidence for convergent evolution, defined here in a loose manner to include both convergent and parallel evolution.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a loose parallel" when you want to draw attention to similarities between two things but also acknowledge that the comparison is not exact or comprehensive. It's useful in situations where a direct analogy might be misleading.

Common error

Avoid using "a loose parallel" when the connection is strong and direct. Using it in such cases might undermine the strength of your argument or analysis. Choose stronger terms like "direct analogy" or "clear correlation" when appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a loose parallel" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. It denotes a relationship between two entities, acknowledging that the connection is not precise. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a loose parallel" is a grammatically sound expression used to draw comparisons while acknowledging their limitations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It's most commonly found in news and media, scientific writing, and encyclopedic entries, signifying a neutral register. Alternatives include "a tenuous connection" or "a rough analogy". When using "a loose parallel", ensure the connection is not overstated, maintaining the nuance of an approximate or general comparison.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a superficial comparison

Indicates a comparison that does not delve deeply into the subject.

a broad similarity

Indicates a general resemblance without specific details.

a faint resemblance

Emphasizes the subtlety of the similarity.

a rough analogy

Highlights the approximate nature of the comparison.

a vague correspondence

Underscores the lack of clarity in the relationship.

a tenuous connection

Emphasizes the weakness or fragility of the connection.

a casual link

Highlights the informal or coincidental nature of the connection.

a distant echo

Suggests a faint and indirect connection.

a slight correlation

Focuses on the statistical relationship rather than a direct connection.

a general trend

Focuses on a common direction or tendency.

FAQs

What does "a loose parallel" mean?

The phrase "a loose parallel" refers to a similarity or comparison that exists between two things, but it is not exact, direct, or strong. It indicates a general resemblance rather than a precise correspondence.

How can I use "a loose parallel" in a sentence?

You can use "a loose parallel" to draw a comparison between two seemingly different concepts or situations, acknowledging that the comparison has limitations. For example, "There's "a loose parallel" between the economic crisis of the 1930s and the recession of 2008."

What can I say instead of "a loose parallel"?

You can use alternatives like "a tenuous connection", "a rough analogy", or "a broad similarity" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a loose parallel"?

It's appropriate to use "a loose parallel" when you want to highlight similarities between two things, but you also want to acknowledge that the comparison is not precise or complete. It's useful when the connection is suggestive but not definitive.