What Does “Chime with sth” Mean?
“Chime with sth” means to agree or be in harmony with an idea, opinion, or feeling. It often describes when something matches well with something else.
Introduction
The phrase “chime with sth” is a useful phrasal verb in English that helps express agreement or compatibility. When something “chimes with” an idea or feeling, it means the two are in harmony or resonate well together. This phrase is common in both spoken and written English, especially when discussing opinions, beliefs, or emotions that align. Understanding the “chime with sth meaning” can improve your ability to describe agreement or connection clearly and naturally. It is often used in professional and casual contexts to show when ideas or values match.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: chime with something
- Type: Intransitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Meaning: To agree or be in harmony with something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Chime with sth” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means you cannot separate “chime” and “with” by placing the object in between.
Common patterns include:
- Subject + chime + with + object
- Example: His opinion chimes with mine.
How to Use “Chime with sth”?
You use “chime with sth” to show that one thing agrees or fits well with another. It is often used with ideas, feelings, opinions, or values. This phrasal verb helps express harmony or similarity between two things.
For example, you might say, “Her views chime with the company’s mission,” meaning her views agree with or support the mission.
Examples
- His explanation really chimes with what I was thinking.
- The new policy chimes with the values of the organization.
- That song chimes with my memories of childhood.
- Her idea doesn’t chime with the facts we have.
- Do your beliefs chime with mine?
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: The idea chimes it with my thoughts.
Correct: The idea chimes with my thoughts. - Incorrect: They chime with the project their opinion.
Correct: Their opinion chimes with the project. - Incorrect: She chimes the plan with.
Correct: She chimes with the plan.
Differences / Synonyms
“Chime with sth” is similar to “agree with,” “resonate with,” and “align with,” but each has subtle differences:
- Agree with: More direct, used for opinions or facts.
- Resonate with: Emphasizes emotional or personal connection.
- Align with: Often used for values or strategies, implying coordination.
- Chime with: Suggests harmony or fitting well, often used for opinions or feelings.
For example, “Her views chime with mine” means they fit well together, while “Her views agree with mine” is a straightforward statement of agreement.
Common Collocations
- Chime with opinion
- Chime with beliefs
- Chime with feelings
- Chime with values
- Chime with memories
- Chime with experiences
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of chime with sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: I think the new marketing strategy really chimes with our brand’s message.
Ben: I agree. It matches perfectly with what our customers expect.
Anna: Exactly. It’s important that our ideas chime with the company’s goals.
Practice
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase:
Her opinion __________ the company’s vision perfectly.
- a) chimes with
- b) chimes
- c) chimes to
- d) chime with it
Answer: a) chimes with
FAQs
- Q: Can “chime with” be used in formal writing?
A: Yes, it is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. - Q: Is “chime with” separable?
A: No, you cannot separate “chime” and “with.” - Q: Does “chime with” only refer to opinions?
A: Mostly, but it can also describe feelings, values, or memories. - Q: What is a simple synonym for “chime with”? A: “Agree with” is a common synonym.
- Q: Can “chime with” be used in the past tense?
A: Yes, e.g., “His words chimed with my thoughts.”