are in conflict with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are in conflict with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where two or more things are opposed or incompatible with each other. Example: "The new policy changes are in conflict with the existing regulations, leading to confusion among employees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Are there any values that are in conflict with your goals?

Huffington Post

Sometimes Commons deadlines are in conflict with media deadlines.

The Guardian

Sometimes these values are in conflict with one another.

The New Yorker

That's why we are in conflict with mining companies".

The Guardian

"Unfortunately right now these are in conflict with enormous pressure to immediately cut costs.

The Guardian - Tech

His virtues are in conflict with each other; that's the very definition of tragedy.

The New Yorker

His characters are pitiable creatures whose baser instincts are in conflict with their spiritual aspirations.

The New York Times

But clearly the two priorities are in conflict with each other".

The New York Times

Berlusconi is taking one step after another to become a dictator in passing laws which are in conflict with democracy.

The Guardian

He is, after all, a loyal Roman soldier whose worldly duties are in conflict with his beliefs.

The New York Times - Arts

The United States has "two types of college education that are in conflict with each other," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are in conflict with", ensure that the subjects being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "Priorities are in conflict", specify "Company priorities are in conflict with employee needs".

Common error

While "are in conflict with" is acceptable, overuse in formal contexts can sound repetitive. Vary your language with synonyms like "are at odds with" or "are incompatible with" to improve readability and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are in conflict with" functions as a prepositional phrase that typically links two nouns or noun phrases, indicating a state of opposition or incompatibility between them. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used. The examples provided by Ludwig show its application across various domains, effectively conveying disagreement or contradiction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are in conflict with" is a versatile and commonly used expression for indicating opposition or incompatibility between two or more entities. As verified by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and appears frequently across various domains, including news, science, and formal business settings. While generally neutral in tone, it's advisable to use synonyms like "are at odds with" or "are incompatible with" in more formal writing to avoid repetition. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by explicitly defining the subjects in conflict. By following these guidelines, you can effectively and appropriately use "are in conflict with" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are at odds with

Replaces "in conflict" with "at odds", suggesting a state of disagreement or contention.

are incompatible with

Emphasizes the impossibility of harmonious coexistence or combination.

are contradictory to

Highlights a direct opposition or inconsistency.

are in opposition to

Focuses on the act of resisting or opposing.

are contrary to

Similar to contradictory, but can also imply a violation of rules or expectations.

do not align with

Suggests a lack of agreement or correspondence.

clash with

Emphasizes a forceful collision or disagreement.

run counter to

Implies moving in an opposite direction, often against a trend or norm.

stand in contrast to

Highlights the differences between two things.

differ from

States that things are not the same.

FAQs

How can I use "are in conflict with" in a sentence?

Use "are in conflict with" to show that two or more things cannot exist together or agree. For example, "The company's goals "are in conflict with" its environmental responsibilities".

What's a more formal way to say "are in conflict with"?

In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "are incompatible with", "are contradictory to", or "are at odds with" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it better to say "are in conflict with" or "conflict with"?

The choice depends on the sentence structure. "Are in conflict with" works well when describing a state of opposition between two nouns. "Conflict with" is suitable when the subject is an action. For instance, "These values are in conflict with each other" versus "These actions conflict with our policies".

What does "are in conflict with" mean?

"Are in conflict with" means that two or more things cannot coexist or are opposed to each other. It indicates a state of disagreement, opposition, or incompatibility.