intersect

USAGE SUMMARY

"intersect" is a perfectly valid and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to two lines, surfaces, or other geometric shapes that cross at one point. For example, you could say, "Where the two roads intersect, there is a four-way stop."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The basic suite of tools journalists use has only been around six or seven years – so Gaza is one of the earliest glimpses into how propaganda and truth might intersect in 21st-century warfare.

The Guardian - Opinion

Importantly, fossil fuel research and carbon capture research intersect, grounded in the same geological and engineering science.

The Guardian

But there is something about the way that three songs intersect in it that I find utterly hypnotic.

The Guardian

Illegal immigrants' lives intersect with those living in horrible LA gated communities.

The Guardian - Books

The funnel would also have to be removed if a hurricane were to strike.A complete stop will have to wait for one of the two relief wells to get down to 5,500 metres, intersect with the leaking well and plug it.

The Economist

In the left-hand chart, the economy is in equilibrium at the point where the aggregate demand curve D1 and the aggregate supply curve S1 intersect, at price level P1 and output Q1.

The Economist

He finally cornered Rudolf after threatening his wife to send their 16-year-old son off to Siberia.The stories of these two men finally intersect in 1946 at a stone barn in Gottrupel, Germany, near Denmark.

The Economist

LIKE railway tracks that appear to converge but never actually intersect, the project to get the world's big economies to use the same accounting standards cannot quite close a vital gap.

The Economist

In 2011 those arguments will grow shriller.Four regional trends intersect in the South China Sea.

The Economist

You come from one direction, it comes from another, and your paths intersect".

The Economist

They are due, next week, to draw up their own plan of action, which could intersect with that of the Front for Change.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "intersect" to describe how different ideas, paths, or objects meet or cross, emphasizing a point of interaction or convergence.

Common error

Avoid using "intersect" when you specifically mean to divide something into two equal parts. The term "bisect" is more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "intersect" is as a verb. It describes the action of two or more things crossing or meeting at a point. Ludwig's AI confirms its usage in various tenses and contexts, as demonstrated in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "intersect" is a versatile verb used to describe the act of crossing or meeting. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability across various contexts, including science, news, and formal writing. While closely related to terms like "meet" and "cross", "intersect" often carries a more precise connotation of a specific point of convergence. It's important to avoid confusing it with "bisect", which implies dividing into two equal parts. With its frequent use and clear meaning, "intersect" remains a valuable word for expressing connections and interactions in both concrete and abstract senses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

converge

Focuses on the act of lines or paths meeting at a single point.

cross paths

Emphasizes the meeting of two separate trajectories or lives.

overlap

Suggests a shared area or element between two distinct entities.

come together

Highlights the act of merging or uniting from different starting points.

connect

Highlights a linkage or relationship between separate entities.

meet

A simple and direct way of expressing the coming together of two things.

interconnect

Suggests a deeper and more complex level of connection.

join

Emphasizes the act of combining or uniting two separate elements.

coincide

Focuses on events or circumstances happening at the same time or place.

touch

Implies a physical point of contact or limited interaction.

FAQs

How can I use "intersect" in a sentence?

You can use "intersect" to describe where lines, planes, or even ideas cross or meet. For example, "The two roads "intersect" at the town square" or "Their interests "intersect" in their love for classical music".

What is a simple way to explain what "intersect" means?

"Intersect" means to cross or meet at a point. Think of two lines on a piece of paper that cross each other; that point where they cross is where they "intersect".

What words can I use instead of "intersect"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "meet", "cross", "converge", or "overlap depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "intersect" and "bisect"?

Yes, "intersect" means to cross or meet at any point, while "bisect" specifically means to divide something into two equal parts. So, while lines can "intersect", only things that can be divided equally can be bisected.