ENGLISH
REFERENCE

in line with sth

prep. phr..
B2 Upper Intermediate Oxford

prep. phr.. to be similar to or match something else, such as a rule, a plan, or an expectation.

prep. phr.. in conformity or agreement with a specific standard, principle, or set of expectations; often used to describe policy alignment.


SIMPLE

The new prices are in line with our budget.

CONTEXTUAL

The company's hiring policy is in line with the latest government regulations on diversity.

COMPLEX

The architect ensured that the modern extension remained in line with the historical aesthetic of the original Victorian structure.

Usage

usually follows a linking verb like 'be' or 'stay' and is followed by a noun phrase.

Teaching tip

contrast with 'out of line with' to show the opposite; it is a useful phrase for formal business writing and reporting.

Pitfall

The results are in line to our goals.The results are in line with our goals.the phrase always requires the preposition 'with' to connect to the object.

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