Difference between "in line with" and "in sync"
Hi, I have a student who asked me to explain the difference between these two expressions: "in line with" and " in sync" and I am not sure if my own understanding is correct.

I know that the two can have similar meanings, but "in sync" more often means that two things are in the same pace, two people are on the same page, and they are in agreement in their understanding of something. For example, you can say " I think we are in sync in terms of thinking about this issue."

While " in line with" means A fits well into the concept of B, A is not in conflict with B, for example I can say " The new proposal is in line with our general line."

Can any English native speaker verify that this generalization is accurate?

Thanks a lot!Also, if I say "we are in sync", is its meaning that "we agree with each other" clear in this sentence alone? And we cannot say "we are in line with each other " to mean the same thing, right?

Question

Difference between "in line with" and "in sync"
Hi, I have a student who asked me to explain the difference between these two expressions: "in line with" and " in sync" and I am not sure if my own understanding is correct.

I know that the two can have similar meanings, but "in sync" more often means that two things are in the same pace, two people are on the same page, and they are in agreement in their understanding of something. For example, you can say " I think we are in sync in terms of thinking about this issue."

While " in line with" means A fits well into the concept of B, A is not in conflict with B, for example I can say " The new proposal is in line with our general line."

Can any English native speaker verify that this generalization is accurate?

Thanks a lot!Also, if I say "we are in sync", is its meaning that "we agree with each other" clear in this sentence alone? And we cannot say "we are in line with each other " to mean the same thing, right?

Answer

Hi, yes I think you pretty much have the meanings spot on there.
'In sync' refers to mutual understanding/agreement. I personally don't use the term unless referring to a pair of people. Eg. They were so in sync with each other.
Meanwhile, 'in line with' = 'in keeping with'. Eg. the company's response was in line with their policy.

Just to add to your question, the funny expression that we do use often is: 'along the same line/vein', for example: "we're thinking along the same line". Although the word 'line' pops up, it actually means our thoughts are in sync!

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