overlaps

USAGE SUMMARY

"overlaps" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when two things partially coincide or intersect, such as "The edges of the two rugs overlapped slightly".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The videos include some great overlaps, like modern taxis driving through the frame.

The Guardian

There are other overlaps: Bubbles and Ziggy maybe (although not nearly as neat)?

The Guardian

The second factor, which overlaps the first in some ways, is that The History Boys is not in the end just a comedy about school and growing up – though of course it is both these things too.

The Guardian - Opinion

This overlaps with a goal adopted by the UN security council back in 1991 when resolution 687 talked about "the establishment of a nuclear-weapons-free zone in the region of the Middle East".

The Guardian - Opinion

But this top-down political temperament and the wider worldview and language of the Labour activist barely overlaps any longer with the average voter.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their statewide jurisdiction overlaps with district attorneys, who are elected locally and are in no short supply 62 in New York state, 58 in California, and on and on as well as with various departments in each state devoted to the regulation of banking, securities and insurance.

The Economist

The approach was known, too: break multiple copies of the genome up into random small pieces; sequence the individual pieces; then use a computer to work out, from the overlaps between those small sequences, how the whole thing fits together.

The Economist

That is where Mr Djindjic's remit overlaps with President Kostunica's.

The Economist

THOSE who watch the murkier overlaps between power and money in eastern Europe have long worried quietly about Lithuania's Snoras Bankas, part of a business empire that includes the country's leading daily paper.

The Economist

The ADIZ also covers territory claimed by South Korea, and overlaps with both countries' own air identification zones.In this section Pressing the pause button Holding pattern Poor spirits Going nuclear Filling stations in the sky Going, going… ReprintsIn fact Mr Biden stopped short of demanding that China rescind the ADIZ.

The Economist

Last year, in a paper in Nature Genetics, its researchers compared what was then known of the DNA underpinnings of a range of conditions (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) to look for overlaps.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing relationships between abstract concepts, use "overlaps" to suggest a partial, rather than complete, intersection. For example, "The Venn diagrams show where the customer segments "overlap"".

Common error

Avoid using "overlaps" without clearly specifying what is overlapping with what. Providing specific details enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity. For example, instead of saying 'There are overlaps', specify 'There are overlaps between the project timelines and available resources'.

Linguistic Context

The term "overlaps" functions primarily as a noun, often in its plural form, referring to instances or areas where two or more things coincide or share common elements. Ludwig AI confirms the word is correct and usable in written English, suitable for describing partial coincidences or intersections.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

26%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "overlaps" functions as a noun indicating shared areas or elements between two or more entities. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in a variety of contexts. Its usage is frequent in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science, making it a versatile term for both formal and informal communication. When using "overlaps", ensure that the context is clear to avoid ambiguity, and consider using alternatives like ""intersects"" or "coincides" depending on the specific meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overlapping areas

Refers specifically to the portions of different things that occupy the same space or have the same scope.

intersections

Focuses on the specific point or area where two things meet or cross.

shared attributes

Highlights the qualities or characteristics that are common between different entities.

shared characteristics

Emphasizes the traits that are common to different things.

common features

Highlights the characteristics that are shared by different things.

elements in common

Points to the aspects that are present or shared between different things.

common ground

Emphasizes the areas of agreement or understanding between different parties or ideas.

mutual aspects

Highlights the features or elements that are reciprocal or shared by multiple things.

points of convergence

Focuses on the specific locations or instances where different things come together.

coinciding elements

Points to the parts or aspects that occur at the same time or in the same space.

FAQs

How can I use "overlaps" in a sentence?

You can use "overlaps" to indicate that two or more things share something in common or cover the same area. For example, "The jurisdiction of the two courts often "intersects"", or "The responsibilities of the roles "coincide" in several areas".

What's the difference between "overlaps" and "intersects"?

"Overlaps" suggests a partial sharing or covering of the same area, while "intersects" implies a more specific point or line of intersection. "Overlaps" is broader, while "intersects" is more precise. Check the context, a good alternative could be "commonalities".

What can I say instead of "overlaps"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "coincides", ""intersects"", or "shares" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "the Venn diagrams show where the customer segments overlaps"?

No, the correct phrasing is "the Venn diagrams show where the customer segments "overlap"", using the plural form to agree with the plural subject 'segments'.