were in line with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were in line with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is consistent or in agreement with something else. Example: "The results of the study were in line with our initial hypotheses, confirming our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their results were in line with chance.

The Guardian

The results were in line with expectations.

The New York Times

Results were in line with our forecasts.

The Guardian - Business

All were in line with forecasts.

The New York Times

Sales were in line with analysts' estimates.

The New York Times

Expectations were in line with reality.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some analysts said the earnings were in line with expectations.

The New York Times

The earnings were in line with analysts' estimates.

The New York Times

The results were in line with analysts' estimates.

The New York Times

The overall results were in line with analysts' forecasts.

The Guardian - Tech

Analysts said the results were in line with expectations.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were in line with", ensure that the elements being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were in line with" when describing unrelated concepts. Ensure a logical connection between the items being compared.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were in line with" functions as a comparative expression, indicating that certain results, figures, or actions corresponded or aligned with specific expectations, estimates, or guidelines. Ludwig AI indicates its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were in line with" is a versatile expression used to indicate agreement or correspondence between actual results and expectations. Ludwig AI underscores its proper usage across various fields, particularly in news, science, and business. Alternatives include "were consistent with" and "were aligned with", offering similar meanings with slight variations in nuance. To ensure clarity, always specify what is being compared and avoid using the phrase in unrelated contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were consistent with

Focuses on agreement or lack of contradiction between two or more things.

were in agreement with

Emphasizes the harmony or consensus between different elements or parties.

were in accordance with

Highlights conformity to rules, standards, or principles.

were aligned with

Suggests a positioning or arrangement that supports a common objective.

corresponded with

Implies a direct relationship or match between two items.

conformed to

Highlights adherence to a specific pattern or standard.

were in compliance with

Indicates adherence to regulations or legal requirements.

matched

Emphasizes an exact similarity or equivalence.

mirrored

Suggests a reflection or close resemblance.

were analogous to

Indicates a similarity in some respects, though not identical.

FAQs

How can I use "were in line with" in a sentence?

You can use "were in line with" to indicate that something is consistent with expectations, predictions, or guidelines. For instance, "The company's profits "were in line with" analysts' forecasts".

What's a good alternative to "were in line with"?

Alternatives include "were consistent with", "were in agreement with", or "were aligned with". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "were in line with" or "were consistent with"?

Both "were in line with" and "were consistent with" are correct. "Were in line with" often implies an expectation or forecast, while "were consistent with" suggests a general agreement or lack of contradiction.

What does it mean when results "were in line with" expectations?

It means the actual results were similar to what was predicted or anticipated. This often implies that there were no major surprises or deviations from the expected outcome.