the score was level

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the score was level" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in the context of sports or games to indicate that two teams or players have the same score. Example: "At halftime, the score was level, with both teams having scored two goals each."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Again it was played in London, where the rain was remorseless but the score was level until eight minutes from the end.

The New York Times - Sports

It was the gold medal match in Salt Lake City and the score was level going into the final end.

BBC

Palace were beaten 2-0 by Southampton, but the score was level when Chamakh had a good chance to give Holloway's side the lead.

BBC

When Jason Dufner held his nerve to see out Peter Hanson two up on the 18th, the score was level again at 13-13 with just two matches, both all-square, left on the course.

BBC

After Mike Nugent booted the extra point, the score was level at 17-17 and fans at M&T Bank Stadium were treated to some free football that they would've preferred not to see.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

If the score is level and a winner has not been determined after 90 minutes of normal time, 30 minutes of extra time is played, followed by a penalty shoot-out if the score is still level.

Wikipedia

If the score is level at the end of the game, either a draw is declared or the game goes into extra time and/or a penalty shootout depending on the format of the competition.

Wikipedia

The scores are level!

The Guardian - Sport

Biggar converted and the scores were level.

Independent

When he returned, the scores were level.

The Guardian - Sport

After the five-round pair event, the scores were level.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a sporting event, use "the score was level" to clearly indicate that both sides have an equal number of points or goals at a specific moment in the game. For variety, consider using synonyms like "tied" or "even".

Common error

Avoid using "the score was level" when referring to situations that do not involve quantifiable scores or points. Instead, use more appropriate phrases like "things were even" or "the situation was balanced".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the score was level" primarily functions as a descriptive statement. It indicates an equal state in a quantifiable contest, such as a sports match or a game. Ludwig confirms this usage is grammatically correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the score was level" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe a state of equality in a quantifiable competition, as confirmed by Ludwig. The phrase carries a neutral tone, making it suitable for various contexts, primarily in news and media. Alternatives include "the game was tied" or "the scores were equal". While versatile, it should be avoided in situations that do not involve numerical scoring. Overall, Ludwig provides ample evidence of the phrase's validity and contextual relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the game was tied

Replaces "score" with "game" and uses "tied" instead of "level", focusing on the overall game state.

the scores were equal

Changes "score was" to the plural "scores were" and substitutes "level" with "equal", emphasizing the numerical equivalence.

both sides were even

Uses "sides" to refer to the competitors and "even" to describe the state of the competition, providing a more general description.

the match was all square

Employs the idiom "all square" to indicate a tied score, common in British English.

the game stood at a draw

Focuses on the game resulting in a draw, implying the scores were level at the end.

neither team had the lead

Highlights the absence of a leading team, indicating a balanced or tied game.

the points were balanced

Emphasizes the balance of points between the competitors, suggesting a close or tied score.

the competition was neck and neck

Uses the idiom "neck and neck" to describe a closely contested competition with no clear leader.

it was an even match

Describes the match as even, implying a tied score or a closely fought contest.

the teams were deadlocked

Suggests that the teams were unable to break the tie, resulting in a deadlock.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "the score was level"?

Alternatives include "the game was tied", "the scores were equal", or "the match was "all square"" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the scores are level"?

Yes, "the scores are level" is grammatically correct, especially when referring to the current state of a game. The phrase "the score was level" is typically used when discussing a past event.

What does it mean when "the score was level" in a game?

It means that both competing sides had the same number of points or goals at a particular point in the game. Neither side was ahead.

Which is more common, "the score was level" or "the score was tied"?

Both phrases are commonly used, but "the score was tied" might be slightly more frequent in American English, while "the score was level" is widely used in British English.