it jars with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it jars with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is in conflict or does not fit well with something else, often in terms of style, tone, or expectations. Example: "The bright colors of the painting jar with the muted tones of the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

When HSBC decides to park a couple of bronze dragons outside to signal its Oriental heritage, it jars with the endless glass and steel.

The Guardian

Twitter declared it an "iconic drag". Roth himself mused that "the tweet's power comes from the way it jars with the identity of its author". And he's not wrong, even though no one cares how he feels, because that is exactly why the dictionary's reply works so well.

The Washington Post

What do you say to the critics of this deportation plan who feel it jars with Jewish values?

The Washington Post

But the most striking thing about Roseanne is how hugely it jars with our new (or at least resurrected) dominant image of the working class.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But nothing gets added without Mr. Gallego's approval, particularly if it jars with the arches and other circular designs that he loves, which are loosely based on the Romanesque style.

The New York Times

But it jars with lobbying by the Canadian Association of Police Chiefs to allow the police to issue tickets instead of laying criminal charges for a range of minor criminal offences such as possession of small amounts of marijuana, soliciting a prostitute or falsifying an employment record.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

It jarred with many people to hear the hate-mongering Mr Modi praised.

The Economist

And when fuchsia pink was inserted, it jarred with the gray elegy.

The New York Times

Yet Wenger talked about it jarring with his principles to base his entire strategy around ploys of conservatism.

The Guardian - Sport

Is Cancer 'Random'?

Vice

It also jars with other circumstantial evidence.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it jars with" to express a sense of dissonance or incongruity between two elements. Ensure that the subject 'it' is clearly defined and that the context makes the nature of the jarring effect evident to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "it jars with" when a stronger term like "it contradicts" or "it negates" would be more appropriate. "It jars with" implies a lack of harmony, not necessarily a direct contradiction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it jars with" functions as a verb phrase expressing a sense of incongruity or disharmony. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates a lack of seamless integration or a sense of unease arising from conflicting elements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it jars with" effectively communicates a sense of discord or disharmony between elements. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. While not as forceful as "it contradicts", it provides a nuanced way to express that something feels out of place. As the examples from sources like The Guardian and The New York Times illustrate, it's commonly used in news and media to describe incongruities in diverse situations. The related phrases offer alternatives with varying degrees of emphasis on the conflict or mismatch.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it clashes with

This alternative emphasizes a strong disagreement or incompatibility.

it is inconsistent with

This suggests a lack of alignment or coherence.

it is at odds with

This implies a direct opposition or conflict.

it doesn't align with

This indicates a mismatch or lack of agreement.

it contrasts sharply with

Highlights a strong difference or dissimilarity.

it is discordant with

This suggests a lack of harmony or agreement.

it is incompatible with

This means that two things cannot exist or work together.

it feels out of place with

Emphasizes the feeling of something not belonging.

it sits uneasily with

This suggests a feeling of discomfort or unease due to the combination.

it is a poor fit with

This implies that something is not suitable or appropriate.

FAQs

How can I use "it jars with" in a sentence?

Use "it jars with" to describe something that feels out of place or creates a sense of disharmony. For example, "The modern architecture "it jars with" the historic charm of the old town."

What can I say instead of "it jars with"?

You can use alternatives like "it clashes with", "it is inconsistent with", or "it doesn't align with" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "it jars with" or "it clashes with"?

"It jars with" suggests a subtle disharmony, while "it clashes with" implies a stronger, more overt conflict. The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of incongruity you want to emphasize.

What's the difference between "it jars with" and "it contradicts"?

"It jars with" means something feels out of place or creates dissonance. "It contradicts" means something directly opposes or invalidates something else. Contradiction is a much stronger term.