match to

USAGE SUMMARY

"match to" is a valid phrase and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate the pairing of two things—the similarity of one thing to another one, or the connection of two objects, ideas, concepts, etc. For example: "The bright blue feathers of the bird matched to the brilliant summer sky."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Game, set and match to Brazil.

The New York Times - Sports

Game, set and match to the Windsors.

The Economist

Band held a kitchen match to it.

The New Yorker

Not an easy match to play, yeah!

The New York Times

I'm just going match to match".

The New York Times - Sports

Wales lost the match to France, 9-8.

The New York Times - Sports

Game, set and match to the Corleones.

The Guardian - Film

Game, set and match to Stevenage.

The Guardian - Sport

Game, set and match to the MiniCams.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was his match to lose.

The Guardian - Sport

Agassi tanked a match to Michael Chang?

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "match to", ensure clarity by specifying the attributes or criteria by which the comparison or connection is being made. For instance, "The color of the scarf should match to the primary color in the painting" is more precise than simply stating, "The scarf should match to the painting."

Common error

Avoid using "match with" when "match to" is more appropriate for indicating a correspondence or suitability. "Match with" is generally used when indicating a pairing or combining of items.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "match to" functions primarily as a verb phrase functioning as a preposition to indicate correspondence or similarity between two entities. Ludwig indicates this is a valid phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "match to" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate a correspondence or similarity between two things. Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples from diverse sources like News & Media, Science and Wiki confirms its wide applicability. While it is versatile and suitable for both formal and informal contexts, it's crucial to specify the criteria for comparison and to differentiate its use from "match with", which suggests pairing or combining. Remember to leverage synonyms like "correspond with" or "align with" for varied writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

correspond with

Emphasizes a direct relationship or similarity in attributes.

align with

Highlights a parallel or agreement in direction, purpose, or characteristics.

compare to

Focuses on drawing comparisons to assess similarities and differences.

relate to

Indicates a connection or association, often in a broader sense.

accord with

Suggests harmony or agreement in principle or detail.

fit with

Implies a good compatibility or suitability between things.

resemble

Stresses visual similarity or likeness in appearance.

harmonize with

Implies a pleasing combination or agreement in qualities.

be consistent with

Emphasizes a state of uniformity or lack of contradiction.

link to

Highlights a connection or association, often causal or sequential.

FAQs

How do I use "match to" in a sentence?

Use "match to" to indicate that one thing corresponds or is similar to another. For example, "The pattern on the wallpaper should "coordinate with" the curtains."

What's the difference between "match to" and "match with"?

"Match to" usually implies a correspondence or similarity, while "match with" suggests a pairing or combination. You could say, "The shoes "complement" the dress" (match to), or "The shoes match with the handbag" (match with).

Are there any synonyms for "match to"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "correspond with", "align with", or "relate to" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is "match to" considered formal or informal?

The phrase "match to" is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Its formality depends more on the surrounding language and the overall tone of the communication.