square with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "square with" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It means to be consistent with or in agreement with something. For example, "Her explanation did not square with what I had heard from other sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"He was pretty square with me.

The New York Times - Sports

That doesn't really square with the facts".

The New York Times

It connects Harvard Square with Boston.

The New York Times

How does this square with my title?

The Guardian

That doesn't square with wanting five more Tory years.

Independent

That is hard to square with much of the evidence.

The New York Times

But does this theory square with the facts?

The New York Times

It doesn't square with firm denials, Dr. Ekman said.

The New York Times

That is hard to square with his original assertions.

The New York Times

It's a square with a triangle on top.

The New York Times - Travel

Such dogmatism may be hard to square with practical politics.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In investigative or critical writing, it is particularly effective when used in the negative form, such as "does not square with the facts".

Common error

Do not confuse "square with" (meaning to agree) with "square up to", which means to face a challenge or an opponent in a confrontational manner.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "square with" functions primarily as an idiomatic phrasal verb. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to denote that one thing is in agreement, harmony, or consistency with another. It often acts as a relational predicate connecting a subject (usually a claim or observation) to a standard or fact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "square with" is a versatile and powerful tool for any writer looking to discuss consistency and truth. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is "perfectly acceptable" and carries a weight of authority, especially in investigative and journalistic contexts. Whether you are pointing out that a theory doesn't "square with" the data or that a policy doesn't "square with" public needs, this phrase provides a clear, logical link between two ideas. It is most effective when used to highlight contradictions, making it a staple of critical analysis and rigorous reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

align with

A direct synonym often used in business and organizational contexts.

be consistent with

More literal and formal, focusing on the absence of contradiction.

tally with

Specifically used when comparing numbers, accounts, or specific points of information.

accord with

A more formal or literary version of the phrase.

jibe with

A more informal, idiomatic alternative often used in speech.

reconcile with

Implies an active effort to make two conflicting ideas work together.

match up with

Less formal and focuses on the physical or visual similarity between two things.

correlate with

Used in scientific and statistical contexts to imply a relationship rather than just agreement.

mesh with

Suggests a smooth or harmonious integration between two elements.

fit with

A simple and versatile alternative for general context.

FAQs

How to use "square with" in a sentence?

You can use it to compare two things, for example: "His recent behavior does not "square with" the values he claims to hold."

What can I say instead of "square with"?

You can use synonyms like "<a href="/s/align+with" target="_blank" rel="alternative">align with", "<a href="/s/be+consistent+with" target="_blank" rel="alternative">be consistent with", or "<a href="/s/tally+with" target="_blank" rel="alternative">tally with" depending on the context.

Is "square with" formal enough for academic writing?

Yes, it is widely used in journalism and formal analysis. However, in strictly scientific papers, you might prefer "<a href="/s/correlate+with" target="_blank" rel="alternative">correlate with" or "<a href="/s/accord+with" target="_blank" rel="alternative">accord with".

What is the difference between "square with" and "reconcile with"?

While "square with" typically describes a state of agreement, "<a href="/s/reconcile+with" target="_blank" rel="alternative">reconcile with" often implies the process of resolving a conflict between two opposing ideas.