mostly in line

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mostly in line" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is generally consistent or in agreement with a particular standard or expectation, but not entirely so. Example: "The project's outcomes are mostly in line with our initial goals, though there are a few areas that need improvement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

The company's results were mostly in line with expectations.

The New York Times

Those are mostly in line with economists' views.

The New York Times

This speculation is mostly in line with findings from a study on adhesion induced GUV deformation28.

Nature

Retail shares were mixed but mostly in line with November sales results.

The New York Times

For reference, injections so far in the 2018 season have been unremarkable and mostly in line with the historical average.

Columbia University

Results revealed that the native listeners' judgments were mostly in line with the perception and the acoustic accuracy results.

Lingua

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

It's important to note that Intel's mostly in-line earnings could indicate a somewhat solid quarter for other PC market participants, such as HP and Microsoft.

TechCrunch

On one hand, the results inferred from the RP genes are mostly in-line with previous studies using fewer species.

Plosone

DR4 motifs were also significantly associated within SINEs in the human genome, whereas DR1 motifs in TEs are found mostly in LINEs (Table 1).

BMC Genomics

On the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, cattle futures finished mostly lower in line with weak cash markets.

The New York Times

This is what you're hearing, for example, from erstwhile respectable Republican economists, who have (surprise!) mostly fallen in line as the crisis looms.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mostly in line" consider including a brief explanation of the deviations or exceptions to provide more context.

Common error

Avoid using "mostly in line" when there are significant or critical discrepancies. If deviations are substantial, a more cautious phrase like "partially aligned" or "somewhat consistent" may be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly in line" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective, indicating the degree to which something conforms to a standard or expectation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, displaying its usage across various reliable sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "mostly in line" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that something generally conforms to a standard or expectation, but not perfectly. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and commonly used in a variety of contexts. As Ludwig's analysis indicates, it is most commonly found in "News & Media" and "Science", signifying its widespread use in reporting results and findings where absolute precision may not always be possible. When using this phrase, it is important to clarify the nature and extent of any deviations to avoid overstating the degree of alignment. Alternatives like "largely in agreement" or "generally consistent" can provide subtle differences in emphasis depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

largely in agreement

Emphasizes the extent of agreement, suggesting a few minor discrepancies.

generally consistent

Highlights the consistency, implying occasional deviations.

mainly in accordance

Focuses on adherence to a standard, with possible exceptions.

for the most part, aligned

Directly states that alignment is true for a majority, but not all, instances.

broadly conforming

Suggests general conformity, allowing for some variation.

mostly compliant

Focuses on compliance with rules or standards, with minor exceptions.

in substantial agreement

Highlights a significant level of agreement, despite potential differences.

largely harmonious

Implies overall harmony, with possible minor discord.

generally corresponding

Focuses on correspondence, with the possibility of slight differences.

primarily matching

Highlights that the primary aspect is matching.

FAQs

How can I use "mostly in line" in a sentence?

You can use "mostly in line" to indicate that something generally conforms to expectations or a standard, but not perfectly. For example, "The project's results were mostly in line with our initial projections, though there were a few minor discrepancies."

What are some alternatives to "mostly in line"?

Alternatives include "largely in agreement", "generally consistent", or "mainly in accordance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "mostly in line" formal or informal?

"Mostly in line" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its neutrality makes it versatile for various writing styles.

What's the difference between "mostly in line" and "completely in line"?

"Mostly in line" suggests that there are some minor deviations or differences, while "completely in line" implies perfect agreement or conformity. The choice depends on the accuracy you want to convey.