fits

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fits" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing whether something is suitable or appropriate for a particular context or situation. Example: "This dress fits perfectly for the occasion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Defence fits more comfortably into the Tory worldview than Labour's.

The Guardian - Opinion

Asked him about Cruz's ascent, where he fits within the conference.

The Guardian

Williams, however, must be concerned about her health because these coughing fits have been recurring at major tournaments.

The Guardian - Sport

The median length of a marriage is about 11 years which, they point out, fits "surprisingly well" with the Pleistocene 15.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Asked where he fits sleep alongside gigging and making music (much of which is recorded on the tour bus), he replies: "I don't.

The Guardian - Music

Here's how they found the experience.... Our weekday detox was on a Wednesday night, so I did some sewing: Diwali is coming up, so I needed to work on my sari, adding some little borders and adjusting it so it fits and flows properly.

The Guardian

"Amnesty [for undocumented migrants] was a clear differentiator between myself and Eric Cantor, because it fits into the narrative that Eric has not been present in the district, and was out of touch – he was supporting the Chamber of Commerce agenda on that one".

The Guardian

This is one industry where the one size fits all approach simply won't cut it.

The Guardian

The chairman of the commission, Sam Younger, said: "If there can be anything done to make the watching of party election broadcasts more attractive to the viewer in a way which fits with the broadcasters' schedules, that is something I would want to see happen".

The Guardian

"In fits and starts, this is a stunning picture.

The Guardian - Film

One of the central paradoxes of life in France is that for all the French preen themselves as the most civilised nation on Earth, they are also quickly prone to collapse into self-lacerating fits of low self-esteem.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fits" to describe clothing, ensure you specify the aspect of the fit (e.g., "fits well", "fits loosely", "fits in the shoulders").

Common error

Avoid using "fit" instead of "fits" when referring to a singular subject in the third person. Remember that, in most cases, the verb needs to agree with the subject in number.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fits" is as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense form of "fit." It describes an action or state of being where something is suitable, appropriate, or of the correct size or shape. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fits" functions as a versatile verb used to convey suitability, compatibility, or agreement across a wide range of contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It appears frequently in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific writing and is considered to have a neutral register. When using "fits", ensure proper verb conjugation and consider specifying the aspect of the fit for clarity. Related phrases like "is suitable" or "matches" can be used as alternatives. Remember that while "fits" describes practical compatibility, "suits" is more about aesthetics or broader appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is suitable

Focuses on appropriateness rather than exact matching.

is appropriate

Emphasizes the suitability of something for a given context.

is a good match

Highlights the compatibility between two or more things.

is compatible

Indicates the ability of two things to coexist harmoniously.

is in line with

Suggests alignment or agreement with a particular standard.

corresponds to

Highlights the correspondence or similarity between two things.

is tailored to

Implies something has been specifically designed or adjusted.

is adapted for

Highlights the adjustment of something to suit a new purpose.

is in accordance with

Focuses on adhering to a specific set of rules or guidelines.

is congruent with

Indicates a state of agreement or harmony.

FAQs

How can I use "fits" in a sentence?

You can use "fits" to describe how well something matches or suits something else, for example, "This key "fits the lock"" or "This plan "fits our needs" perfectly".

What can I say instead of "fits"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "suits", "matches", or "corresponds".

Is it correct to say "the shoe fits" or "the shoe fits well"?

Both are correct, but "the shoe "fits"" implies a general agreement or suitability, while "the shoe "fits well"" emphasizes the quality of the fit.

What's the difference between "fits" and "suits"?

"Fits" often refers to the physical dimensions or practical compatibility, while "suits" often refers to aesthetics or appropriateness in a broader sense.