mismatch

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'mismatch' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a noun which refers to an incompatibility or an imperfect pairing between two things. For example, "The fabrics used for this outfit were a mismatched pattern and didn't go together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I had grown up with her pictures and was in awe of her, and also taken aback by the mismatch between the soft, deep, clear beauty of her black-and-white photos that contain every shade and grain of grey and the unassuming, unadorned figure she cut.

The Guardian - Arts

They may also gain from the mismatch between what people are voting for – a tempering of austerity – and what they are getting: a new European regime dictating and policing the taxation and spending policies of national governments.

The Guardian

But the mismatch between demand for care, driven by the ageing, growing and increasingly ill population, and NHS's ability to meet it – because money is tight and too often there are too few staff – is going to continue to become ever more stark regardless of whoever forms the next government.

The Guardian

Climate campaigners will point to a mismatch between the words and his ongoing support for fracked gas, but taking such an emotive position on the issue hands a very large metaphorical stick to campaigners with which they can beat their President if and when his actions fail to match the words.

The Guardian

The mismatch between the popular and elite verdicts was striking.

The Guardian

How could I help her to make sense of this mismatch?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

There is ​​a fundamental mismatch between voters and the options ​on the ballot paper A second faultline in Britain's electorate is geospatial, between what Paul Mason, of Channel 4 News, has described as tribes in the asset-rich south-east and post-industrial Britain.

The Guardian

The face of Britain's electorate has changed and there is a fundamental mismatch between voters and the options on the ballot paper.

The Guardian

The fog has clearly lifted and she was much more like her usual self, ripping into returns and overpowering Errani, whose lack of physicality was always likely to make it a mismatch.

The Guardian - Sport

They are different players: Sturridge is above all a finisher, a player of fine craft in front of goal who looks in retrospect even more of a mismatch as a utility winger.

The Guardian - Sport

Given that the financial service industry was not going to return to its previous size and shape, the government had to face up to the increasing mismatch between tax and spending.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about data, use "mismatch" to describe inconsistencies between sets of data or expected results. For example, "There was a significant "mismatch" between projected sales and actual revenue."

Common error

Avoid using "mismatch" when "mistake" is more appropriate. "Mismatch" implies a lack of correspondence or fit, while "mistake" suggests an error or fault.

Linguistic Context

The word "mismatch" primarily functions as a noun, denoting something that does not correspond or fit well. It can also function as a verb, meaning to match unsuitably. Ludwig AI provides various examples demonstrating its use in both contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "mismatch" is a versatile term used to describe a lack of correspondence or suitability between two or more things. As Ludwig AI indicates, it functions primarily as a noun but can also be used as a verb. Its prevalence in news media, business contexts, and scientific literature underscores its wide applicability. While synonyms like "discrepancy" and "incompatibility" offer nuanced alternatives, understanding the core meaning of "mismatch" ensures clear and effective communication across diverse fields. When using "mismatch", ensure it appropriately reflects a lack of fit rather than a simple error, and consider the specific context to select the most precise synonym.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

discrepancy

Focuses on a difference between two things that should be the same.

incompatibility

Highlights the inability of two things to exist together harmoniously.

lack of alignment

Emphasizes the absence of agreement or coordination.

disagreement

Focuses on differences in opinion or perspective.

incongruity

Highlights something out of place or inappropriate.

divergence

Implies a separation or deviation from a common point.

gap

Focuses on the space or difference between two things.

variance

Highlights the degree of difference or deviation.

conflict

Suggests active opposition or struggle due to differences.

disharmony

Emphasizes a lack of pleasantness or agreement.

FAQs

How do you use "mismatch" in a sentence?

You can use "mismatch" to describe a lack of compatibility or agreement between two things. For example, "There is a clear "mismatch" between the company's stated values and its actual practices."

What can I say instead of "mismatch"?

You can use alternatives like "discrepancy", "incompatibility", or "lack of alignment" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "mismatch" and "disparity"?

"Mismatch" generally implies a lack of fit or correspondence, whereas "disparity" suggests a difference in level or degree. They can sometimes be used interchangeably, but "mismatch" often highlights a functional issue, while "disparity" points to an inequality.

Is it correct to say there is a "mismatch" of skills?

Yes, it is correct. The phrase "mismatch" of skills is commonly used to describe a situation where the skills possessed by individuals do not align with the skills required by available jobs or tasks. It's often used in discussions about employment and education.