overlap of interests

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overlap of interests" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to the situation in which two or more people share similar interests, beliefs, or goals. For example, "The overlap of interests between the two countries was evident as they both worked together on the joint project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Competition represents another overlap of interests.

The Guardian

Historically there has been an overlap of interests between Syria, Iran, Hizbullah and Hamas.

The Guardian - Opinion

China's aim is to rid itself of a Soviet-style bureaucracy with a tendency to micromanage and an extensive overlap of interests among central departments.

The Economist

Within the State Department, there are geographic focus groups in addition to thematic groups, which sometimes causes an overlap of interests.

Columbia University

That overlap of interests, however clouded, can still salvage something decent from this war -- if the Bush team can finally screw up the courage to admit its failures and dramatically change course.

The New York Times

A better term is "overlap of interests," they said, because the drug and device companies want to market products to help people, and the researchers and professors want to help them find new cures and spread the word.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The users can analyse the overlapping genes in a genome or a particular overlap of interest (by gene or by internal id).

BMC Genomics

Significant overlap of interest, on the other hand, can lead to the identification and formulation of shared research priorities.

Health Research Policy and Systems

The overlapping of interests may be a coincidence, of course, but it will be interesting to see Dhoni the captain operate over the next four Tests.

BBC

Yet in France, such overlaps of interest seem uncontroversial.

The Economist

This year, they fall into pairs, which may represent an overlapping of interest among filmmakers and not just a critical convenience.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing collaborations or partnerships, use "overlap of interests" to highlight shared goals and benefits, reinforcing the rationale for cooperation.

Common error

Be careful not to confuse "overlap of interests" with "conflict of interest". The former refers to shared benefits, while the latter indicates a situation where interests are opposed or compromised.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overlap of interests" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a situation where multiple parties have shared or coinciding interests, goals, or benefits, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overlap of interests" is a grammatically sound and widely recognized term, primarily used as a noun phrase to describe shared goals, benefits, or objectives between different parties. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. While it's considered neutral in register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication, it’s essential not to confuse it with "conflict of interest", which denotes opposing interests. Alternatives like ""convergence of interests"" and "shared interests" can offer nuanced variations depending on the specific context. This expression appears more often in news, scientific and business contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Shared interests

Directly indicates common interests among parties.

Mutual interests

Focuses on interests that are reciprocally beneficial.

Alignment of interests

Suggests a deliberate arrangement or agreement of interests.

Convergence of interests

Emphasizes the coming together of different interests towards a common point.

Community of interest

Implies a group sharing similar interests and goals.

Coincidence of interests

Highlights the accidental alignment of interests.

Areas of convergence

Focuses on the specific areas where interests meet.

Common ground

Refers to shared beliefs, interests, or opinions.

Similar concerns

Emphasizes shared worries or issues of importance.

Points of agreement

Highlights specific areas where interests align.

FAQs

How can I use "overlap of interests" in a sentence?

You can use "overlap of interests" to describe situations where two or more parties share similar goals or benefits. For example, "There is a significant "convergence of interests" between the two companies, making a merger beneficial".

What's the difference between "overlap of interests" and "conflict of interest"?

"Overlap of interests" refers to a situation where multiple parties share common goals or benefits. "Conflict of interest", on the other hand, indicates a situation where someone's personal interests could compromise their professional duties.

What are some alternatives to saying "overlap of interests"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "shared interests", ""convergence of interests"", or "alignment of interests", depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

Is "overlap of interest" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "overlap of interest" is less common and idiomatic. The plural form, "overlap of interests", is generally preferred as it often implies multiple facets or dimensions of shared interests.