following the same lines

USAGE SUMMARY

"following the same lines" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to refer to something that has similar characteristics to something that has previously been mentioned or is on the same topic. For example, "The study showed that technology is having a growing impact on our lives - following the same lines, our traditional modes of communication are changing as well."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

As it would turn out, his future wife, Trang Nguyen, was following the same lines of thought as she embarked on a marketing career.

The Guardian

The proof can be proceeded by following the same lines as [24], Lemma 3.3; see also Drabek [25].

Boundary Value Problems

From (ii), by following the same lines of proof as in Theorem 3.9, we get that (u in operatorname{Fix}(T)).

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Thus, the proof of the existence of a tripled common fixed point is straightforward by following the same lines as in the proof of Corollary 3.12.

Fixed Point Theory and Applications

Using the above lemmas and following the same lines as the proof of Theorem 4.1 in [35], we obtain the main result concerning the approximation errors.

Advances in Difference Equations

Thus, the proof of the existence of a tripled point of coincidence is straightforward by following the same lines as in the proof of Corollary 3.4.

Journal of Inequalities and Applications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"In that respect the European Central Bank, despite its independence, is fully following the same line".

The New York Times

"I was following the same line and braking patterns as in the previous laps, and I just got hit from behind by Massa.

The Guardian - Sport

Well, following the same line of argument in his letter, I think people should have the right to grow and sell their daughters.

The Economist

"Mehlman is following the same line he touted in 2004 and 2006 as a major Republican party power leader: support anti-gay politicians who are all too comfortable demonising [lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender] people for some votes," said Michael Jones, of change.org.org

The Guardian

Even if that move proves somewhat unpopular with younger consumers, research by IPSOS and others suggests that the online market is being colonised in droves by older folks.Peter AlhadeffBerklee College of MusicBostonA GooglySIR – Google seems to be following the same line Ronald Reagan took with the Russians in the 1980s ("Is Google the new Microsoft?", May 13th).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "following the same lines" when you want to emphasize that a process, idea, or approach is being replicated or closely imitated. It suggests a deliberate choice to adhere to a previously established pattern or method.

Common error

Avoid using "following the same lines" when you intend to convey a completely original idea or a stark departure from existing methods. This phrase inherently implies a degree of imitation or replication, which would be contradictory in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "following the same lines" functions as a connector, indicating that a subsequent action or idea is consistent with a previous one. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is most frequently found in scientific and news contexts, signifying a continuation of established patterns.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

35%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "following the same lines" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, commonly used to indicate a continuation or replication of a method or approach. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's often seen in science and news contexts. When using the phrase, ensure it aligns with the intent to convey similarity or replication rather than originality. Alternative phrases such as "adopting a similar approach" or "taking a parallel course" can be used to add nuance to the expression. Remember that maintaining continuity, rather than conveying completely novel ideas, remains the core purpose of this common expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adopting a similar approach

Replaces "following" with "adopting" and "lines" with "approach", emphasizing a conscious decision to use a similar method.

taking a parallel course

Uses "taking" instead of "following" and "parallel course" instead of "same lines", highlighting the similarity in direction.

proceeding in a similar vein

Employs "proceeding" instead of "following" and "similar vein" instead of "same lines", suggesting a similarity in style or manner.

employing an analogous method

Replaces common words with more formal synonyms, making it sound academic/professional.

mirroring the same methodology

Emphasizes that the methodology being followed is an exact copy.

replicating the same steps

Focuses on repeating individual actions rather than an overall direction.

acting in accordance with similar principles

Highlights acting based on a similar set of rules/guidelines.

aligning with the same strategy

Focuses on strategic consensus and unified approach.

walking the same path

Provides a more metaphorical and directional image to the action.

duplicating the same process

Stresses the act of making an exact copy of an activity or transformation.

FAQs

How can I use "following the same lines" in a sentence?

You can use "following the same lines" to indicate that a subsequent action or idea is similar to a previous one. For example, "The second study, "following the same lines" as the first, confirmed the initial findings."

What are some alternatives to "following the same lines"?

Alternatives include "adopting a similar approach", "taking a parallel course", or "proceeding in a similar vein".

Is "following the same lines" formal or informal?

The phrase "following the same lines" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though alternatives like "employing an analogous method" might be preferred in highly formal or academic writing.

What's the difference between "following the same lines" and "taking a different approach"?

"Following the same lines" indicates a similarity or replication of a method, while "taking a different approach" implies a departure from the existing method. They are essentially opposites.