does not tally

USAGE SUMMARY

"does not tally" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to say that something does not match or agree with something else. For example: "The number of items in the cart does not tally with the total on the receipt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

But accepting the "envelope" does not tally with the approach of the shadow chancellor.

The Guardian

Another old tradition, that the Gioconda was a 'courtesan', does not tally at all with the historical Lisa.

The Guardian - Books

It does not tally with published opinion polls that show the Ukip lead in the European elections narrowing slightly.

The Guardian

In many African cultures the boundary between the two does not tally exactly with the Western, demonstrating that definitions of music and song are culture-specific.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Prices are higher than in many developing countries, but they are not wildly divergent.The apparent improvement in affordability does not tally with the perception of many Chinese.

The Economist

But the number of empty seats in the stadiums does not tally with the number of tickets that are claimed to have been sold.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

The National Gardening Association doesn't tally the number of black gardeners — nor, it would seem, does anyone else.

The New York Times

"We have to say to certain people, 'What you just said doesn't tally with what you just did.

The Guardian

That doesn't tally with its "Feed your family for a fiver" campaign and pushing its own-label products.

The Guardian

There's a revisionist argument for this interpretation, but it doesn't tally with the descriptions of Vivie in the text.

The New York Times

This year, she faces losing her right to vote under the new act because the name on her birth certificate doesn't tally with that on her driving licence.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "does not tally", ensure that the two items being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify what figures "does not tally" with which other data.

Common error

Avoid using "does not tally" in situations where the comparison is too abstract or lacks specific measurable elements. Instead of saying "The plan does not tally", specify what aspects of the plan are inconsistent with what other factors.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not tally" primarily functions as a verb phrase expressing disagreement or inconsistency between two or more things. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to indicate that items being compared do not align. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "does not tally" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate a lack of agreement or correspondence between two things. Ludwig AI highlights its broad applicability. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, it serves the purpose of pointing out discrepancies, promoting further scrutiny. While it maintains a neutral register, its clear articulation of incongruence makes it a valuable asset in formal communication. Alternatives such as "does not match" and "is inconsistent with" can be used depending on the specific nuance you aim to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does not match

Replaces "tally" with "match", focusing on a lack of correspondence.

is inconsistent with

Uses a more formal tone, emphasizing a contradiction or lack of harmony.

does not correspond to

Similar to "does not match" but slightly more formal, highlighting a lack of direct relationship.

is at odds with

Implies a conflict or disagreement between two things.

fails to align with

Emphasizes a lack of agreement or coordination.

is not in agreement with

A more verbose alternative, explicitly stating a lack of agreement.

is not consistent with

Highlights a lack of uniformity or predictability.

contradicts

A direct and forceful way of saying that something opposes or negates something else.

is dissimilar to

Focuses on the differences between two things, suggesting they don't align.

differs from

Simply states that two things are not the same.

FAQs

What does "does not tally" mean?

The phrase "does not tally" means that something does not match, agree, or correspond with something else. It implies a discrepancy or inconsistency between two things.

What can I say instead of "does not tally"?

You can use alternatives like "does not match", "is inconsistent with", or "does not correspond to" depending on the context.

How to use "does not tally" in a sentence?

You can use "does not tally" to compare two sets of data or statements. For example, "The witness's account does not tally with the evidence at the scene."

Is it more appropriate to use "does not match" or "does not tally"?

While both phrases are similar, "does not tally" often implies a more precise or numerical discrepancy, while "does not match" can be used more broadly for any kind of mismatch.