broadly in line

USAGE SUMMARY

"broadly in line" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that something is generally in agreement with a particular opinion or view. For example, "The results of the survey were broadly in line with our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Analysts said the results were broadly in line with expectations.

The New York Times

Overall, operational results were broadly in line with our expectations.

The Guardian - Business

We are now broadly in line with consensus.

The Guardian - Business

The increase is broadly in line with expectations.

Independent

"This is broadly in line with what we would have anticipated," spokesman Martin Richardson says.

The Guardian - Money

The company's results were broadly in line with expectations, analysts said.

The New York Times

He said: Final results were broadly in line with market expectations but slightly behind our projections.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The shares now trade...broadly in line with the sector.

The Guardian - Business

Wood said Future is on track to deliver full-year results "broadly in line" with expectations.

The Guardian

Childhood mortality rates in Britain used to be broadly in line with the rest of Europe.

The Guardian

In this respect, the UK falls broadly in line with the American position.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "broadly in line" when you want to indicate that something is generally consistent or in agreement with something else, without implying exact precision. For example, "The company's performance is broadly in line with industry trends."

Common error

Avoid using "broadly in line" when you mean to express exact agreement. Using it inappropriately can mislead your audience. For example, instead of saying "The data is broadly in line with the model", when there is no deviation, it's better to say "The data perfectly matches the model".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broadly in line" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It indicates the extent to which something aligns or agrees with a particular standard, expectation, or trend. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "broadly in line" is a versatile and grammatically correct expression used to indicate a general agreement or consistency between two or more things. It's frequently used in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and provides multiple real-world examples. While indicating similarity, it stops short of claiming exact correspondence; alternatives such as "generally consistent with" or "largely in agreement with" can be used to fine-tune the nuance. When using the phrase, ensure the context calls for an approximate, not an exact, alignment to avoid misleading your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in general agreement with

This alternative stresses that the alignment is not perfect but acceptable overall.

generally consistent with

This alternative emphasizes consistency rather than a direct alignment.

more or less aligned with

This alternative indicates an approximate alignment with slight deviations.

largely in agreement with

This alternative highlights the aspect of agreement and can be used to convey a slightly stronger correspondence.

substantially similar to

This suggests a high degree of similarity, but not necessarily identical.

mostly in accordance with

This alternative uses a more formal tone indicating compliance or conformity.

on par with

This alternative suggests a level of equality or equivalence.

roughly comparable to

This alternative suggests similarity in terms of comparison, not necessarily exact agreement.

mainly compatible with

This alternative focuses on compatibility, suggesting that things can coexist or work together.

in the same ballpark as

This informal alternative indicates that the items are close in value or amount.

FAQs

What does "broadly in line" mean?

"Broadly in line" means generally in agreement or consistent, but not necessarily exactly the same. It implies an approximation or a range of acceptable values.

How can I use "broadly in line" in a sentence?

You can use "broadly in line" to describe data, forecasts, expectations, or policies. For example, "The company's earnings were "generally consistent with" analysts' estimates."

What's the difference between "broadly in line" and "exactly in line"?

"Broadly in line" implies a general agreement or similarity, while "exactly in line" suggests a precise match. Use "broadly in line" when there are minor deviations, and "exactly in line" when there are none.

What are some alternatives to "broadly in line"?

Some alternatives to "broadly in line" include "generally consistent with", "largely in agreement with", or "mostly in accordance with" depending on the specific context.