a vast gap

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a vast gap" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant difference or disparity between two things, such as ideas, opinions, or conditions. Example: "There is a vast gap between the rich and the poor in many societies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

But Robert convinced me that there was a vast gap between Hollywood, California and Austin, Texas".

Independent

She summarized that thought quite simply: "There is a vast gap between the Marine Corps and the Peace Corps.

The New York Times

A vast gap yawns between the well-connected, penthouse-owning rich and the slum-dwelling, unemployed poor like Mr. Silva.

The New York Times

Hereford are ninth in the Conference, Leicester sixth in the Premiership - a vast gap of 95 places.

The Guardian - Sport

An unexpected role model, perhaps, for the president of a country in which a vast gap between rich and poor has increased over his 33-year rule.

The Economist

That's a vast gap, and it's why bears believe that the market is, in the words of the high-profile money manager John Hussman, "overvalued, overbought, overbullish".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

22 human-written examples

The report found a similarly vast gap in the raw numbers of defaults in Standard & Poor's data.

The New York Times

At the very least this estimate provides a glimpse at the vast gap between the chance appearance of a single functional ribozyme replicase (plausible if its length is <100 nucleotides) and that of more complex entities such as a rudimentary machinery necessary for translation.

Biology Direct

Until now, there was nothing to fill the vast gap between a fashion-aspirant megabrand like Club Monaco and a Barneys or Bergdorf, in price and quality.

The New York Times

Cousins's debut — nearly a year after tearing his Achilles tendon as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans — was a timely reminder of the vast gap existing between the Clippers and the NBA's title favorites.

Los Angeles Times

The vast cultural gap between the Havasupai and the larger culture remains a vast cultural gap.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "a vast gap", ensure that the magnitude of the difference is truly significant. Overusing 'vast' can diminish its impact. Consider quantifying the gap to strengthen your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "a vast gap" when the difference is only moderate. Choose more appropriate descriptors like "noticeable difference" or "slight variation" if the scale doesn't warrant the intensity of "vast".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a vast gap" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It signifies a substantial difference or separation between two entities, ideas, or states, as exemplified by Ludwig's provided instances.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a vast gap" is a noun phrase used to denote a significant difference or separation, often employed to emphasize the magnitude of this disparity. Grammatically correct and fairly common, as confirmed by Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While versatile, be mindful of the scale of the difference to avoid overstatement, ensuring its aptness in representing a truly substantial gap. Alternatives such as "a significant difference" or "a wide discrepancy" may be more appropriate for less pronounced differences. It maintains a neutral formality, suitable for diverse writing purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant difference

Focuses on the difference rather than the size of the gap.

a wide discrepancy

Highlights a lack of agreement or consistency.

a large disparity

Emphasizes inequality or imbalance.

a considerable divide

Suggests a separation that is difficult to bridge.

a substantial chasm

Emphasizes the depth and difficulty of crossing the gap.

a gulf

A simpler, more direct synonym for a large gap or difference.

a pronounced separation

Highlights the clear and noticeable nature of the gap.

a yawning void

Implies emptiness and lack where something should be.

a major cleavage

Suggests a split or division, often in opinions or beliefs.

a profound contrast

Emphasizes the stark difference between two things.

FAQs

How can I use "a vast gap" in a sentence?

The phrase "a vast gap" is used to describe a large difference or separation between two things. For example, "There is "a vast gap" between the rich and poor in many countries."

What can I say instead of "a vast gap"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant difference", "a wide discrepancy", or "a large disparity" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a vast gap between" X and Y?

Yes, it's grammatically correct. The phrase "a vast gap" is typically followed by "between" to indicate what two things are being compared. For instance, "There's "a vast gap" between aspiration and reality."

What is the difference between "a vast gap" and "a significant gap"?

"A vast gap" implies a very large difference, while "a significant gap" suggests a difference that is important or noteworthy but not necessarily enormous.