sync

USAGE SUMMARY

"sync" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it as a verb to mean bringing two things or people into a state of agreement or harmony. An example sentence would be: "We needed to sync our schedules to make sure our plans didn't conflict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Where sync really comes into its own is by disseminating copies of the synced file to every computer registered to the same sync account, whether on the same network or anywhere on the internet.Better yet, most sync services (with the notable exception of Apple) allow sharing folders with others.

The Economist

#eurovision pic.twitter.com/Vfm3ADz1TJ Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 10.17pm AEST13 17 The Danish fairy who won last year is back showing Molly how to do hippy fairy properly – although there has been a strange moment where the lip sync appeared to lapse into actual singing.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Lynch refused to say whether the FBI had a position in or out of sync with the local police's current interpretation of the killing.

The Guardian

Rehabilitation projects can be ugly and out of sync with the local environment.

The Guardian

It was the quality play of all three sectors of the team that stood out – solid defense, an in sync midfield, and dangerous strikers that knew where to put the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

Davies has a history of making controversial statements out of sync with his party high command.

The Guardian

I hope Andrew Gwynne is wrong in his doubtless faith that "the vast majority of the public" desired to see her punished further and that our biggest problem is career MPs who are out of sync with the rest of us.

The Guardian - Opinion

…but hurry up and wait for music sync The record labels don't seem to have quite got this tied up over here: we want to be able to synchronise our purchased music (at least – and all our music, actually) across phones.

The Guardian - Tech

You could connect your smartphone to a cloud service that lets you "remote wipe" if need be – but control what you sync up to iCloud if you wish to remain truly private.

The Guardian

"The way he is bowling there is something technical in the chain that's out of sync.

The Guardian - Sport

Launch Dropbox on the phone when you want to sync new photos and it will happen automatically.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sync" to describe a harmonious state or agreement, but choose synonyms like "coordinate" or "harmonize" to emphasize active efforts or aesthetic qualities.

Common error

Avoid using "sync" interchangeably with unrelated terms like "agree" or "understand". While "sync" implies alignment, it doesn't necessarily mean consensus or comprehension. Ensure the context involves harmonization or synchronization.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sync" is as both a verb, denoting the action of synchronizing, and a noun, referring to the state of being synchronized. Examples from Ludwig AI demonstrate its usage across various sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

28%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sync" functions as both a verb and a noun, denoting synchronization or a state of being synchronized. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Its register varies from neutral in news media to formal in business and academic settings. Frequent use cases include discussions around technology, coordination of activities, and achieving alignment. While "sync" is generally acceptable, more formal contexts may benefit from using "synchronize". Keep in mind its varied meanings, from the technical synchronization of data to the harmonious alignment of actions. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively use "sync" in your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

synchronize

A more formal and direct synonym for "sync", often used in technical contexts.

synchronize data

Specifically relates to aligning information across multiple systems or devices.

align

Focuses on ensuring that elements are positioned correctly in relation to each other.

coordinate

Implies a more active effort to bring different elements into a harmonious relationship.

integrate

Implies combining different elements into a unified whole.

harmonize

Suggests a pleasing or aesthetic alignment, often used in contexts involving music or design.

bring into alignment

Emphasizes the process of adjusting elements to achieve a state of coordination.

unify

Similar to integrate, but with a stronger emphasis on creating a single, cohesive entity.

mesh

Suggests a close and interlocking fit between different parts.

get in step

Suggests matching the pace or rhythm of others, often used in a figurative sense.

FAQs

How can I use "sync" in a sentence?

You can use "sync" as a verb to describe the act of synchronizing data, ideas, or actions, as in "We need to "sync our calendars"." It can also be used as a noun, referring to a state of synchronization, as in "The dancers moved in perfect "harmony"".

What are some alternatives to using "sync"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "coordinate", "synchronize", "align", or "harmonize". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "sync" or "synchronize"?

"Sync" is a shorter, more informal version of "synchronize". "Synchronize" is often preferred in formal or technical contexts where precision is important, while "sync" is suitable for more casual communication.

What does it mean for two things to be "in sync"?

When two things are "in sync", it means they are operating or occurring at the same time or in a coordinated manner. This can refer to physical actions, data updates, or even emotional states.