Wage gap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Wage gap" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the difference in earnings between different groups, often referring to gender or racial disparities in income. Example: "The wage gap between men and women continues to be a significant issue in the workforce."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wage Gap Apps.

Vice

The wage gap is real.

The New York Times

The wage gap isn't static.

Columbia University

It's not a "wage gap".

The Guardian

what is the wage gap, exactly?

Columbia University

The wage gap is a singular question of fairness.

The New York Times

Compounding the injustice, she said, is the wage gap.

Independent

But that wage gap isn't necessarily the result of discrimination.

The New York Times

The wage gap has since narrowed, but it still exists.

The New Yorker

Paradoxically, the narrowing wage gap increases the pressure on politicians.

The Economist

Why is the gender wage gap still so large?

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the "Wage gap", specify which groups are being compared (e.g., gender, race) to provide context and clarity.

Common error

The "Wage gap" is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors, including career choices, experience, and hours worked. Avoid attributing it solely to discrimination without considering other relevant variables.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Wage gap" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It is used to identify and name the phenomenon of unequal pay between different groups. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "Wage gap" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that describes the disparity in earnings between different groups. According to Ludwig, its primary contexts are news, academia and science. The most authoritative sources using the phrase include The New York Times and The Guardian. While the phrase is widely accepted, it's important to be specific about which groups are being compared when using it, and to acknowledge the multifaceted nature of the issue, avoiding generalizations about the causes of the "Wage gap".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Pay disparity

Focuses on the inequality in pay between different groups, without explicitly mentioning gender.

Wage disparity

Similar to "Pay disparity", but focuses specifically on wages.

Income inequality

Addresses the broader concept of unequal income distribution.

Gender pay difference

Specifically highlights the difference in pay between men and women.

Earnings gap

A general term for the difference in earnings between groups.

Compensation gap

Focuses on the total compensation, including benefits, not just salary.

Pay inequity

Emphasizes the unfairness in the compensation structure.

Unequal pay

A direct and simple way to express the concept of pay disparity.

Disproportionate earnings

Highlights the imbalance in earnings distribution.

Differential compensation

A more formal way of referring to different levels of compensation.

FAQs

What does the phrase "Wage gap" mean?

The "Wage gap" refers to the difference in earnings between different groups, most commonly between men and women or between different racial and ethnic groups.

How is the "Wage gap" typically measured?

The "Wage gap" is usually measured by comparing the median earnings of one group to the median earnings of another group. For example, comparing the median annual earnings of women to that of men.

What are some of the factors that contribute to the "Wage gap"?

Factors contributing to the "Wage gap" include differences in education, experience, occupation, industry, hours worked, and discrimination. Some argue about differences in negotiation skills or preferences for certain jobs.

What are some phrases similar to "Wage gap"?

Similar phrases include "pay disparity", "income inequality", "gender pay difference", and "earnings gap".