do not overlap

USAGE SUMMARY

"do not overlap" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that two or more items should not be placed on top of each other. For example, "When arranging the plates on the table, do not overlap them."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Routing trees do not overlap.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The top ten rosters do not overlap.

Forbes

It is assumed that atomic spheres do not overlap.

Journal of Cheminformatics

The routing trees of sinks do not overlap.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Note that the wideband interferences do not overlap each other.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Notice that parameterized states conceptually do not overlap.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

As discussed previously, p-states conceptually do not overlap.

Journal of Software Engineering Research and Development

The confidence intervals of the two groups do not overlap.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

These two sets of songs do not overlap.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

All these techniques have their own preferred field of application, and they do not overlap.

Artificial Intelligence

The topics we targeted for this curriculum, however, do not overlap with other student programs.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "do not overlap" to clearly instruct against placing items on top of each other, whether physically or conceptually. This is especially important in technical documentation or instructional manuals.

Common error

Avoid using "do not overlap" when you intend to convey a more nuanced meaning, such as 'do not closely resemble'. "Do not overlap" strictly means not occupying the same space or area.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "do not overlap" functions as a negative imperative, commonly used to issue a command or instruction to prevent spatial, temporal, or conceptual concurrence. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

79%

Wiki

6%

News & Media

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "do not overlap" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile phrase used to instruct against any form of overlapping, whether in physical space, time, or abstract concepts. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Its frequent occurrence in scientific and technical contexts indicates a formal register, though it remains understandable across various settings. When a more nuanced meaning is needed, consider using alternatives like "do not intersect" or "are mutually exclusive". Remember to employ "do not overlap" when providing clear and direct instructions, particularly in technical documentation or scheduling to prevent any misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are non-overlapping

Uses an adjective form to describe the state of not overlapping.

do not intersect

Replaces "overlap" with "intersect", emphasizing the idea of lines or surfaces not crossing.

do not overlay

Replaces "overlap" with "overlay", suggesting a lack of layering or covering.

do not superimpose

Replaces "overlap" with "superimpose", highlighting the absence of placing one thing over another.

are mutually exclusive

Emphasizes that items cannot exist together, focusing on logical separation.

are distinct

Focuses on the clear separation and difference between items.

do not coincide

Highlights the lack of simultaneous occurrence or alignment.

remain separate

Emphasizes the maintained separation between items over time.

are disjunct

A more formal term indicating a complete lack of connection or overlap.

do not share elements

Highlights that there are no common components between the items.

FAQs

How can I use "do not overlap" in a sentence?

Use "do not overlap" to indicate that two or more things should not occupy the same space or time. For example, "Ensure the scheduled meetings "do not overlap" to allow attendees to participate fully".

What can I say instead of "do not overlap"?

You can use alternatives like "do not intersect", "do not overlay", or "are mutually exclusive" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "do not overlap" or "does not overlap"?

"Do not overlap" is used with plural subjects or when giving a command, while "does not overlap" is used with singular subjects in the third person. For example, "The schedules do not overlap" vs "The schedule does not overlap".

What's the difference between "do not overlap" and "are distinct"?

"Do not overlap" specifically means not occupying the same space or time, while "are distinct" implies a clear difference or separation in characteristics or qualities. They are not always interchangeable.