it conflicted with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it conflicted with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where two or more things are in opposition or disagreement with each other. Example: "The new policy conflicted with the existing regulations, causing confusion among the staff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

On the other hand, the introduction of a proven technique into a country might raise ethical issues if, by its nature, it conflicted with cultural norms in that society.

Science Magazine

The foundation discontinued its sponsorship, Mr. Anderson said, partly because it conflicted with its main goal: promoting chess in schools.

The New York Times

Carder once played youth football for two weeks but quit because it conflicted with his racing.

The New York Times - Sports

Bin Laden also adhered to his own strict sense of Islamic law, even when it conflicted with his goals.

The New York Times

I was going to do it when I was 12, but it conflicted with the U.S.A. competition.

The New York Times - Sports

The federal appeals court in San Francisco blocked the state law in April, saying it conflicted with a federal one.

The New York Times

Like Plato, she regarded artistic expression as impermissible when it conflicted with the dictates of a well-ordered polity.

The Guardian - Books

Their lawyer requested the last court date to be changed because it conflicted with the Final Four.

The New York Times - Sports

In December 2007, a district judge had stopped the San Francisco plan, saying it conflicted with the federal law.

The New York Times

It seems that this may have been his undoing, as it conflicted with the traditional way of conducting business behind closed doors.

The Economist

Consider President George W. Bush and his hundreds of signing statements, asserting his power to disobey any statute passed by Congress when it conflicted with his ideology.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it conflicted with", ensure the subject 'it' is clearly defined in the context to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify 'the meeting' or 'the law' to clarify what's causing the conflict.

Common error

Avoid using "it conflicted with" for minor disagreements; reserve it for situations involving actual opposition or incompatibility. For trivial matters, consider "it was inconvenient with" or "it didn't align with".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it conflicted with" functions as a connector to indicate opposition or incompatibility between two elements. As Ludwig AI shows, it's used to describe situations where something clashes with another entity, such as a rule, a goal, or a schedule.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

20%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it conflicted with" is a versatile phrase to indicate opposition or incompatibility. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, especially in News & Media. While suitable for formal and neutral registers, context-specific alternatives like "clashed with" or "was at odds with" can add nuance. To avoid vagueness, make sure to explicitly define what 'it' refers to. Remember that while the phrase is widely applicable, it's best reserved for situations where actual conflict exists, avoiding its use for minor inconveniences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it clashed with

Replaces 'conflicted' with 'clashed', suggesting a more direct confrontation or disagreement.

it was at odds with

Indicates a state of disagreement or opposition, offering a more formal tone.

it was incompatible with

Highlights the impossibility of coexistence or agreement between two things.

it ran counter to

Suggests a direct opposition or contradiction.

it differed from

Emphasizes the difference or divergence between two things.

it contradicted

Indicates a direct opposition or inconsistency.

it was in opposition to

Highlights a formal or stated disagreement.

it interfered with

Suggests an obstruction or disruption caused by the other thing.

it was contrary to

Implies a direct contradiction or opposition in nature or principle.

it stood in the way of

Indicates that something is preventing progress or agreement.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "it conflicted with" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it was at odds with", "it was incompatible with", or "it ran counter to". These options add a layer of sophistication and precision.

Is there a stronger alternative to "it conflicted with"?

Yes, depending on the context, "it clashed with" or "it contradicted" offer a more emphatic way to express direct opposition or disagreement.

Can "it conflicted with" be used to describe a minor inconvenience?

While grammatically correct, using "it conflicted with" for a minor inconvenience might be an overstatement. Consider using softer alternatives like "it was inconvenient with" or "it didn't align with" for less significant situations.

What's the difference between "it conflicted with" and "it interfered with"?

"It conflicted with" implies a direct opposition or incompatibility, while "it interfered with" suggests that something was obstructed or disrupted by another factor. The former suggests an inherent clash, while the latter suggests an obstruction of progress.