lie somewhere in between

USAGE SUMMARY

"lie somewhere in between" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is usually used to mean that something is in a position between extremes or two points. For example, "The truth about the cause of the accident lies somewhere in between the two witnesses' accounts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

The truth, most probably, will lie somewhere in between".How Large is the Housing Wealth Effect?

The Economist

The truth seems to lie somewhere in between: he made his position untenable and forced his manager's hand.

The Guardian - Sport

Hatched salmon, though, lie somewhere in between: they are hatched by humans and then freed as youngsters to spend the rest of their lives in the wild.

The New York Times

The truth may lie somewhere in between, said Rennie B. Schoepflin, a professor of religious history at California State University in Los Angeles and author of "Christian Science on Trial: Religious Healing in America".

The New York Times

The reality appears to lie somewhere in between the two extremes.

Chemical Engineering Science

The correct view must lie somewhere in between: relations are real, but are not distinct from their subjects in the way one thing is distinct from another.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

The DCCT definition does however not consider asymptomatic biochemical hypoglycaemia and thresholds for its diagnosis have been suggested to lie somewhere in between 3.5 and 3.9 mmol/l [ 13], although the exposure to glucose levels of 3.5 4.0 mmol/l is likely to be of little clinical significance.

BMC Endocrine Disorders

We expect the real performance of ExomeWalker in such cases to lie somewhere in-between that seen in Figures 1 and 2. To gain a realistic estimate of the performance of our method on new data, we identified 19 disease gene associations that had been identified in 2012 that belong to one of the phenotypic series and had a known variant in HGMD.

Bioinformatics

"It probably lies somewhere in between.

The New York Times - Sports

The truth probably lies somewhere in between.

The New York Times - Books

ReprintsThe truth lies somewhere in between.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lie somewhere in between", ensure that the two extremes you are referencing are clearly defined for the reader to understand the intended range.

Common error

Avoid using "lie somewhere in between" without clearly stating what the two extremes are. Vague references can confuse the reader and diminish the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lie somewhere in between" functions as a qualifier or adverbial phrase, indicating that a subject's state, position, or characteristic is intermediate between two defined extremes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

46%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "lie somewhere in between" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to indicate an intermediate position between two extremes. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is versatile, spanning across news, science, and general discourse. It's crucial to define the extremes clearly for effective communication. While related phrases like "fall midway" or "reside in the middle ground" offer similar meanings, "lie somewhere in between" remains a straightforward and widely accepted way to express moderation and compromise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fall midway

Emphasizes the position between two points, focusing on the location along a spectrum.

reside in the middle ground

Highlights the balanced nature of the position, suggesting a compromise or moderation.

find a balance between

Focuses on the act of achieving equilibrium or stability between two opposing forces.

strike a compromise

Suggests a negotiated agreement that satisfies some aspects of both extremes.

be a midpoint

Directly indicates being at an equal distance between two endpoints.

land in the middle

Implies a settling point that is neither extreme.

exist in an intermediate state

Formally describes a condition that is neither one thing nor the other, but something in between.

hover in between extremes

Suggests instability and lack of commitment to either extreme.

be neither here nor there

Indicates vagueness and a lack of clear definition, applicable when something doesn't fit neatly into either category.

take a middle course

Implies a deliberate choice to avoid extremes, opting for a moderate approach.

FAQs

How can I use "lie somewhere in between" in a sentence?

You can use "lie somewhere in between" to indicate that something exists or falls within a range or spectrum between two defined points. For example, "The truth probably "lies somewhere in between" the two versions of the story."

What does it mean when something "lies somewhere in between"?

When something "lies somewhere in between", it means that it is not at either extreme of a spectrum or range, but rather occupies a position or state that is intermediate. It suggests a middle ground or compromise.

Which is more appropriate, "lies somewhere in between" or "is somewhere in between"?

Both "lies somewhere in between" and "is somewhere in between" are grammatically correct, but ""lies somewhere in between"" often implies a more nuanced or abstract positioning, while "is somewhere in between" can be more direct.

Are there any formal alternatives to "lie somewhere in between"?

Yes, you can use more formal alternatives such as "resides in the middle ground" or "occupies an intermediate position" in academic or professional contexts.