a deviation of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a deviation of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a departure from a standard, norm, or expected outcome in various contexts, such as statistics, behavior, or measurements. Example: "The study revealed a deviation of 10% from the expected results, indicating a significant anomaly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even a deviation of a quarter of a mile can make a big difference, he added.

The New York Times

There is also a deviation of its profile compared with that expected from the phenomenological theory.

Nature

These conditions are maintained constantly with a deviation of no more 3 degrees.

Harvard University

Fixation loss, defined as eye closure or a deviation of >20 degrees from the fixation target, was also measured.

Stanford University

Wilkins-Haug moved the cannula; a deviation of even a few millimetres could tear the tissue of the cardiac chambers and kill the fetus.

The New Yorker

A deviation of more than 2 inches from the perpendicular injures a doorman in a physical way, long uprightness having made him brittle.

The New Yorker

The model satisfactorily explains the experimental results with a deviation of ±15%.

Chemical Engineering Journal

The simulation results are shown to match the experiments with a deviation of 0.21%.

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy

In conjunction, the DWFL provides very stable relative wavelength spacing with a deviation of ±0.04 nm.

Optical Fiber Technology

The calculated and measured densities are with a deviation of 3.5% in good agreement.

Solid State Communications

The numerical results closely correlated to the experimental data with a deviation of 1%.

Renewable Energy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a deviation of" in scientific writing, clearly specify the units of measurement to provide context and ensure clarity. For example, "a deviation of 5 degrees Celsius".

Common error

Avoid assuming that any "a deviation of" is automatically significant. Always consider the context, sample size, and statistical tests to determine if the deviation is meaningful or simply due to random chance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a deviation of" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It indicates the act or state of differing or straying from a standard or expected value. Ludwig shows numerous examples where it quantifies a difference, especially in scientific and technical contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

70%

Academia

15%

News & Media

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a deviation of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly within scientific, academic, and technical domains. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves to quantify a difference from a norm or expectation. When employing this phrase, ensuring the context and units of measurement are clear is crucial. While alternatives like "a departure from" or "a variance from" exist, the specific choice should align with the intended nuance. Remember that "a deviation of" does not inherently imply a negative outcome; it simply denotes a difference. By being mindful of these considerations, you can effectively use "a deviation of" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a departure from

Emphasizes the act of moving away from a norm or expectation.

a variance from

Highlights the statistical difference between data points.

a divergence from

Suggests a branching out or separation from a set path or standard.

a discrepancy with

Focuses on the inconsistency or disagreement between facts or claims.

a disparity in

Highlights the inequality or difference in amount or quality.

an aberration from

Implies an unusual or unexpected departure from the norm.

an anomaly in

Points out something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected.

a fluctuation in

Suggests an irregular rising and falling in number or amount.

a shift from

Emphasizes a change in position, direction, or tendency.

a swing from

Highlights a change in opinion or feeling.

FAQs

How can I use "a deviation of" in a sentence?

You can use "a deviation of" to describe the amount by which something differs from a standard or expected value. For instance, "The experiment showed "a deviation of 5"% from the predicted outcome".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a deviation of"?

Alternatives include "a departure from", "a variance from", or "a divergence from", depending on the context.

Is it always negative to have "a deviation of"?

Not necessarily. "A deviation of" simply indicates a difference. Whether it's positive or negative depends on what's being measured and the desired outcome. Sometimes, "a deviation of" can lead to innovation or improvement.

What's the difference between "a deviation of" and "a trend of"?

"A deviation of" refers to a specific instance of differing from a norm, while "a trend of" suggests a pattern or direction in which something is changing over time.