an obvious discrepancy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an obvious discrepancy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when pointing out a clear difference or inconsistency between two or more things. Example: "Upon reviewing the financial reports, we noticed an obvious discrepancy in the revenue figures."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Which brings us to an obvious discrepancy in the headache yesterday data from Zambia.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

On the other hand, when either Model 1 or Model 2 is subjected to different earthquake wave excitations, an obvious discrepancy is found.

International Journal of Concrete Structures and Materials

However, an obvious discrepancy is found around the equator, where the amplitude of the field tends to be underestimated, and the direction is even reversed in several places.

Earth, Planets and Space

Although the epicenter of the Jiuzhaigou earthquake is near the southeastern section of the Tazang Fault, the focal mechanism solution obtained in this study shows an obvious discrepancy from the geological characteristics of the southeastern section of the Tazang Fault.

Earth, Planets and Space

Vilissa Thompson, an advocate and licensed master social worker from Winnsboro, South Carolina, said there is an obvious discrepancy in how the law and the public treat parents and caregivers accused of killing someone in their care. .

Huffington Post

In particular, there is an obvious discrepancy between the single-cell genetic input and the multicellular geometrical output.

BMC Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

And will there be a clear winner?" There are a few obvious discrepancies between Stanton and Clinton's trajectories.

Huffington Post

This obvious discrepancy may indicate that a mechanism(s) other then SOCE largely support Ca2+ entry following stimulation of endothelial cells by vasoactive agonists.

British Journal of Pharmacology

The most obvious discrepancy is in the identity of the chief foe of the Israelites.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Meanwhile, Obama aides ran to Politico to boast that Awlaki's corpse would be a significant asset in Obama's re-election bid, leading to this Politico headline: What can explain this obvious discrepancy?

The Guardian - Opinion

The joke was made funnier by the obvious discrepancy between David's fictional stand-in, George — slovenly, pathetic, and anonymous — and Danson, who was handsome, charming, and, at that time, the biggest TV star in the country.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an obvious discrepancy" to introduce a critical point that requires further investigation or explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "an obvious discrepancy" when the difference is subtle or requires expert knowledge to detect. Using it inaccurately can make your argument seem weak or condescending.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an obvious discrepancy" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence. It serves to identify a specific instance of difference or inconsistency that is easily noticeable. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an obvious discrepancy" is a grammatically sound and semantically valid expression used to highlight clear inconsistencies or differences. While not exceedingly common, it finds utility in various contexts, including science, news, and general discourse. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is accurate, and its effectiveness lies in its capacity to signal a noticeable divergence that merits attention or further investigation. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure the difference is genuinely apparent to the intended audience, preventing any potential misinterpretation of subtlety or misrepresentation. Consider "a clear inconsistency" or "a noticeable difference" as possible alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a clear inconsistency

Replaces 'obvious' with 'clear' focusing on the lack of alignment between facts or statements.

an evident inconsistency

Replaces 'obvious' with 'evident', denoting something easily seen and understood.

a noticeable difference

Substitutes "discrepancy" with "difference", highlighting a distinction that is easily observed.

a glaring contradiction

Replaces both words emphasizing a stark opposition or conflict.

an apparent contradiction

Replaces 'obvious discrepancy' with a contradiction that is easily perceived.

a palpable mismatch

Uses "palpable" to emphasize how easily the mismatch can be sensed or perceived.

a manifest divergence

Replaces "obvious" and "discrepancy" with more formal vocabulary, indicating a clear point of separation.

a conspicuous imbalance

Focuses on the lack of proportion or equilibrium that is easily noticeable.

a patent incongruity

Uses more formal and legalistic language to describe something that does not fit or align.

a distinct disparity

Highlights a clear and easily distinguishable difference between two or more things.

FAQs

How can I use "an obvious discrepancy" in a sentence?

You can use "an obvious discrepancy" to highlight a clear difference or inconsistency. For example: "There was "an obvious discrepancy" between the company's projected earnings and its actual revenue."

What can I say instead of "an obvious discrepancy"?

Alternatives include "a clear inconsistency", "a noticeable difference", or "a glaring contradiction", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "obvious discrepancy"?

While "discrepancy" inherently implies a difference, using "obvious" emphasizes that the difference is easily noticeable and requires no deep analysis to identify.

What's the difference between "an obvious discrepancy" and "an apparent discrepancy"?

"An obvious discrepancy" suggests that the difference is easily seen and undoubtedly real. "An apparent discrepancy", on the other hand, means that the difference seems to exist, but might not be real upon closer examination.