are parallel to

USAGE SUMMARY

"are parallel to" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to two lines, objects, or ideas that never intersect but remain at a constant distance from each other. Example: "The train tracks are parallel to the highway, running side by side for miles."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Make sure your forearms are parallel to the ground.

The Guardian

We are parallel to the conditions and we try to examine and learn from them.

The New York Times

Your feet are parallel to the ball-to-target line, but always aiming left.

Independent

Cleavage is breakage along planar surfaces, which are parallel to possible external faces on the crystal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The end faces are parallel to the perfect cleavage that characterizes the group.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Who among those murdered by Hamas in the Hebrew University cafeteria are "parallel" to the Hamas commander?

The New York Times

Because a harbor seal's hind flippers are parallel to its body, it can only wriggle, wormlike, on ice or land.

The New Yorker

The steps are parallel to [20].

Advances in Difference Equations

At this stage, the fibers are parallel to the plane.

Journal of Mathematics in Industry

Polymer chain axes are parallel to axis c.

Applied Petrochemical Research

The faces of the slab are parallel to the layering.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are parallel to" to accurately convey that two or more lines, planes, or objects extend in the same direction and are always the same distance apart.

Common error

Avoid using "are parallel to" when you intend to describe a similarity or analogy between two concepts. Parallelism implies a spatial or directional relationship, while similarity implies a resemblance in characteristics or function.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are parallel to" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating a specific spatial relationship. It links two or more entities by asserting that they maintain a consistent distance and direction relative to each other. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage, as seen in many examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

Wiki

25%

News & Media

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are parallel to" is a common and grammatically correct prepositional phrase used to describe the spatial relationship between two or more entities that maintain a constant distance and direction relative to each other. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase appears across diverse contexts, most frequently in scientific, wiki, and news & media sources. While maintaining a formal tone, it's essential to differentiate parallelism from mere similarity. When seeking alternative expressions, consider options like "are aligned with" or "correspond to" based on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are aligned with

Emphasizes physical or abstract alignment, suggesting a directional correspondence rather than a fixed distance.

are in line with

Implies agreement or conformity, extending the meaning beyond physical orientation.

correspond to

Focuses on a relationship of equivalence or matching between two things.

run alongside

Suggests a parallel course or movement, often in a physical sense.

are equidistant from

Specifies that the distance between the entities remains constant but doesn't necessarily imply parallelism in direction.

are analogous to

Indicates a similarity in function or appearance, rather than spatial arrangement.

are comparable to

Highlights similarities for the purpose of comparison, without necessarily implying a spatial relationship.

are related to

Suggests a general connection or association, less specific than strict parallelism.

mirror

Suggests a reflective correspondence, often implying reversed or symmetrical arrangements.

duplicate

Indicates an exact copy, or mirroring.

FAQs

How can I use "are parallel to" in a sentence?

The phrase "are parallel to" is used to describe two or more lines, planes, or objects that extend in the same direction and are always the same distance apart. For instance, "The train tracks "are parallel to" the highway."

What does it mean when lines "are parallel to" each other?

When lines "are parallel to" each other, it means they lie in the same plane, never intersect, and maintain a constant distance apart.

Which is correct: "are parallel with" or "are parallel to"?

"Are parallel to" is the correct and commonly used phrase. "Are parallel with" is less common and can sound awkward. It is better to stick with ""are parallel to"".

What can I say instead of "are parallel to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "are aligned with", "are in line with", or "correspond to".