they coincide

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'they coincide' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that two or more things happen at the same time or match in a certain way. For example: "The kids' summer break and my vacation coincide, so we'll be able to spend more time together this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With improved predictions we will increase our ability to predict cis-regulatory-associated variants and their functional impact on the regulatory elements they coincide with.

Genome Medicine

And they coincide in many places".

The New York Times

Are there areas in which they coincide?

The New York Times

But they share the stage; they overlap; they coincide.

The New York Times - Arts

And if they coincide with Xantolo festivities, all the better.

The Guardian - Travel

The motif parameters resulted from two methods reveal that they coincide with each other.

Measurement

Sometimes they coincide — for example, promoting human rights can help combat terrorism — and sometimes they conflict.

The New York Times

And even if they coincide with rivers or mountain ranges, they remain entirely human constructs.

The New York Times

Most can be customized to include local market days if they coincide with a trip.

The New York Times - Travel

It is not so managed here below that in practice they coincide.

The New Yorker

The increase in defense thus directly causes the increase in prey biomass, explaining why they coincide.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "they coincide" to clearly indicate that two or more events, ideas, or phenomena occur at the same time or align in a significant way. This phrase is effective when emphasizing the simultaneous nature of these occurrences.

Common error

While "they coincide" is correct, avoid using it in simple sentences where simpler words like "happen at the same time" or "overlap" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they coincide" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating that two or more things occur at the same time or align in a specific context. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a grammatically sound way to express simultaneity or alignment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

29%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "they coincide" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate that two or more things happen at the same time or align in a specific context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a sound phrase for expressing simultaneity. It is most commonly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. While it's a useful phrase, be mindful of potential overuse in simpler contexts where more straightforward language might be appropriate. Consider alternatives like ""they overlap"" or ""they align"" to add nuance. Remember that while "they coincide" focuses on simultaneity, other terms like "they correlate" suggest a relationship rather than just timing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they are concurrent

This is a formal way to express simultaneity, adding a level of formality not present in the original.

they are simultaneous

This directly refers to the timing of events, emphasizing the 'when' rather than the 'how' or 'why' of their concurrence.

they align

This suggests a more structured or intentional agreement, differing from the mere simultaneous occurrence implied by the original phrase.

they overlap

This implies a partial sharing of characteristics or occurrence in the same space or time, unlike the complete concurrence of the original.

they correspond

This suggests a direct relationship or similarity between two things, adding a layer of connection not necessarily present in the original.

they synchronize

This suggests a coordinated timing of events, adding a layer of intentional alignment absent in the original.

they intersect

This term conveys a more geometrical meeting. This refers to lines and surfaces, and when referring to other themes it describes the shared aspect of those themes, instead of occurring at the same time.

they converge

This indicates a coming together from different directions, implying a different path to the point of concurrence than the original.

they concur

This implies agreement or similarity in opinion or judgment, a more specific meaning than the general alignment of the original.

they harmonize

This implies a pleasant or aesthetically pleasing alignment, unlike the neutral connotation of the original phrase.

FAQs

How can I use "they coincide" in a sentence?

Use "they coincide" to indicate that two or more things occur simultaneously or align in a specific context. For example, "The project deadlines and the conference dates "they coincide", creating a scheduling conflict."

What are some alternatives to "they coincide"?

You can use alternatives such as "they overlap", "they align", or "they are simultaneous" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "they coincide" in informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "they coincide" is generally more suited for formal or professional writing. In informal contexts, simpler phrases like "they happen together" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "they coincide" and "they correlate"?

"They coincide" indicates that events occur at the same time, while "they correlate" suggests a statistical relationship or connection between two variables. Coincidence focuses on timing, while correlation focuses on association.