it is loosely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is loosely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that is not tightly or strictly defined, often in a metaphorical or figurative sense. Example: "The term is loosely defined, allowing for various interpretations depending on the context."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Cheris Shun-ching Chan likewise writes that Falun Gong is "categorically not a sect": its practitioners do not sever ties with secular society, it is "loosely structured with a fluctuating membership and tolerant of other organizations and faiths," and it is more concerned with personal, rather than collective worship.

Wikipedia

It is loosely governed and managed by Linden Lab.

The New York Times

It is loosely anchored to the sea floor.

The Guardian

"It is loosely based on an article, but the majority of the characters are fictitious.

The New York Times

It is loosely autobiographical, like a lot of the art in the house.

The New York Times

This group is underground, but it is loosely allied with overtly populist protestors.

The New York Times - Books

It is loosely modelled on military service but is voluntary and non-military.

The Guardian

It is loosely curated and ever so lightly themed around the idea of "strangeness".

The New York Times

I found out what it is: loosely twisted hemp or jute fiber.

The New York Times - Arts

Like Windfloat, it is loosely anchored to the sea bed with mooring lines.

The Guardian

"It is loosely based on the accountable care organisations (ACOs) in the US," said Palmer.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is loosely" to indicate a connection or relationship that is not precise or strictly defined. This is useful when describing influences, adaptations, or affiliations.

Common error

Avoid using "it is loosely" when the connection is actually strong or direct. Using the phrase in such cases can weaken your argument and mislead the reader.

Linguistic Context

It functions as a qualifier, indicating that a relationship or connection is not precise or strictly defined. It softens the assertion, suggesting an approximation or indirect association, as exemplified by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

16%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it is loosely" serves as a qualifier, indicating an inexact or flexible relationship. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across varied contexts. The expression is most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, which reveals its neutrality and wide applicability. When employing this phrase, ensure that the connection isn't understated nor overstated, maintaining accuracy and clarity in your writing. Consider alternatives like "it is somewhat", "it is generally", or "it is roughly" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's somewhat

Replaces "loosely" with "somewhat", suggesting a moderate degree of connection or approximation.

it's approximately

Substitutes "loosely" with "approximately", highlighting an estimation or inexact correspondence.

it's roughly

Uses "roughly" in place of "loosely", implying an imprecise or general correspondence.

it is generally

Replaces "loosely" with "generally", indicating a broad or common association.

it's vaguely

Substitutes "loosely" with "vaguely", suggesting an indistinct or unclear connection.

it is indirectly

Uses "indirectly" in place of "loosely", emphasizing an implied or roundabout association.

it is peripherally

Substitutes "loosely" with "peripherally", suggesting a tangential or not central connection.

it is tangentially

Uses "tangentially" instead of "loosely", indicating a slight or digressive relationship.

it's informally

Replaces "loosely" with "informally", highlighting a lack of strict or official connection.

it's unofficially

Substitutes "loosely" with "unofficially", suggesting a lack of formal or recognized association.

FAQs

How can I use "it is loosely" in a sentence?

Use "it is loosely" to describe something that's related to something else but not in a direct or strict way. For example, "The movie "it is loosely based on" historical events".

What's a good alternative to "it is loosely"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "it is somewhat", "it is generally", or "it is roughly".

What does "it is loosely based on" mean?

When something "it is loosely based on" something else, it means that the former took inspiration from the latter, but with significant alterations or interpretations. It isn't a direct adaptation.

Is it better to say "it is loosely based on" or "it is based on"?

Use "it is based on" when the source material heavily influences the new work. Use "it is loosely based on" when the connection is more of an inspiration or starting point with substantial deviations from the source.