1
Occur simultaneously
Happen during the same period.
Example
The decline coincided with a prolonged drought.
coincide with
/ˌkəʊɪnˈsaɪd wɪð/ · koh-in-SYD withrelationship phrase
Occur at the same time as, occupy the same position as, or agree with.
Use coincide with to signal this exact relationship between ideas: occur at the same time as, occupy the same position as, or agree with.
What coincide with Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Match in position
Occupy the same place or boundary.
Example
The old road coincides with the modern property line.
3
Agree in view
Correspond with another account or conclusion.
Example
Her estimate coincides with the independent survey.
Use coincide with Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The decline coincided with a prolonged drought.
The old road coincides with the modern property line.
Her estimate coincides with the independent survey.
Precision Matters
Coincide with overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
coincide with
vs.Signals occur at the same time as, occupy the same position as, or agree with.
be correlated with
Means vary in a systematic relationship with another measured variable.
coincide with
vs.Signals occur at the same time as, occupy the same position as, or agree with.
bring about
Means cause an event, condition, or change to happen.
coincide with
vs.Signals occur at the same time as, occupy the same position as, or agree with.
at the same time
Means simultaneously; also used to introduce a balancing qualification.
coincide with
vs.Signals occur at the same time as, occupy the same position as, or agree with.
consistent with
Means in agreement or harmony with; not contradicted by.
Test coincide with in Context
The two events occur at the same time without a warranted causal claim.
1
The population decline appears to ___ the drought, but the timing alone cannot show that the drought caused it.