a major discrepancy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a major discrepancy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a significant difference or inconsistency between two or more things, such as data, reports, or statements. Example: "The audit revealed a major discrepancy between the reported sales figures and the actual revenue generated."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

and it is incredibly isolating to find a major discrepancy between the two.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A major discrepancy associated with BC is its high production cost, usually much higher than the plant cellulose.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

On Sunday night, they held the ball for 57 percent of the match, a major discrepancy between two teams.

The New York Times - Sports

We certainly feel that functional skills should be fully funded up to level 2, because this will remove a major discrepancy.

The Guardian

Consistent with previous reports, there is a major discrepancy between the actual population within the US and the representation of that population on TV.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Trump's proposal would open up a major discrepancy between the rate for individual taxpayers (35percentt in the new document) and the rate for corporations and businesses (the document calls for 15percentt).

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Gerain and colleagues [ 23] reported a 59% major discrepancy rate in a medical oncologic ICU population.

Critical Care

And here there is a pretty major discrepancy.

The Guardian - Film

A seemingly major discrepancy between our GH-CJDMM1 and the Japanese dCJDMM1 patients is represented by the size of the resPrPSc.

Acta neuropathologica communications

Carney et al. observed a 1.0% rate of major discrepancy and 5.4% rate of minor discrepancy on body CT scans between initial and final interpretation.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

But others say that because Eomaia doesn't belong to a modern order, it leaves the major discrepancy unchanged.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a major discrepancy", ensure you clearly specify what is being compared and the nature of the difference. For instance, "There is a major discrepancy between the planned budget and the actual expenditure."

Common error

Avoid using "a major discrepancy" without specifying what elements are being compared. Saying "There's a major discrepancy" lacks context. Instead, clarify: "There's a major discrepancy between the two reports."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a major discrepancy" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It serves to identify and describe a significant difference or inconsistency. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, highlighting deviations from expected norms or standards.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a major discrepancy" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun phrase that signifies a notable difference or inconsistency. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to highlight a significant deviation, often warranting attention or further examination. The phrase appears most commonly in scientific and news-related contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the elements being compared and the nature of their difference. Consider alternatives like "significant difference" or "notable inconsistency" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant difference

Focuses on the importance of the difference rather than the inconsistency.

a substantial variance

Emphasizes the amount by which things differ.

a notable inconsistency

Highlights the lack of uniformity or agreement.

a marked divergence

Stresses the point at which things begin to go in different directions.

a considerable disparity

Highlights inequality or difference in amount or quality.

a striking contrast

Emphasizes the difference by showing opposite qualities.

a glaring contradiction

Highlights an obvious and irreconcilable conflict.

a critical divergence

Stresses the importance of the divergence.

a fundamental mismatch

Highlights a basic lack of compatibility.

a serious deviation

Stresses the departure from what is standard or expected.

FAQs

How can I use "a major discrepancy" in a sentence?

Use "a major discrepancy" to highlight a significant difference or inconsistency between two or more things. For example, "The investigation revealed "a major discrepancy" between the witness testimonies."

What are some alternatives to "a major discrepancy"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant difference", "a notable inconsistency", or "a substantial variance" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "major discrepancy" or "significant difference"?

Both phrases are valid, but "major discrepancy" often implies an unexpected or problematic difference, while "significant difference" simply denotes a notable distinction.

What's the difference between "a minor discrepancy" and "a major discrepancy"?

"A minor discrepancy" indicates a small or unimportant difference, while ""a major discrepancy"" refers to a large, important, and potentially problematic difference.