appear to vary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'appear to vary' is correct and usable in written English.
It usually implies that something appears to be different in some way, although it might not be proven. For example, you could say, "The prices of the items appear to vary from store to store."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The opinions on Tyler's move appear to vary by perspective.

The New York Times - Sports

In addition, the brain changes associated with autism appear to vary with age.

Biological Psychiatry

Procedures and practices involved in the design of these studies appear to vary somewhat.

Journal of Pharmacological and Toxicological Methods

This occurs primarily because treatment effects do not appear to vary substantially across study subjects.

Journal of Statistical Planning and Inference

The attitude and practice do not appear to vary significantly between successive year of pharmacy students.

Complementary Therapies in Medicine

To be fair, the acoustic problems appear to vary, perhaps depending on where you are sitting.

The Economist

African-American cuteness would appear to vary little from norms already established for Hispanics, Inuits, Jews, and the like.

The New Yorker

Materials used to make the nest appear to vary with locale and opportunistic use of available components.

Cornell University

Retinoid levels did not appear to vary according to sex, but they did vary with lipid content.

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part B: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

However, the cognitive bases of the gaze-following behaviors that primates exhibit appear to vary widely across species.

Current Opinion in Neurobiology

Additionally, effects of trait anxiety on performance in the presence of an observer appear to vary depending on task characteristics.

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "appear to vary" when indicating observed differences that may not be definitively proven or fully understood. This is especially useful in scientific writing or nuanced discussions where uncertainties exist.

Common error

Avoid using "appear to vary" when the differences are statistically significant or definitively established. In such cases, use stronger verbs like "differ", "contrast", or "diverge" to reflect the certainty of the variation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appear to vary" functions as a hedge, softening a statement about observed differences. It indicates that there are variations, but they may not be fully confirmed or statistically significant. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable English, reinforcing its role in academic and professional discourse.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

74%

News & Media

12%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "appear to vary" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe observed differences that may not be definitively confirmed. Ludwig AI underscores its validity in various contexts. Its primary function is to introduce variation with a degree of uncertainty, making it particularly valuable in scientific and academic discourse. While applicable across different registers, it's advisable to avoid using it when the variation is statistically significant. Related phrases include seem to differ, appear to diverge, and appear to fluctuate, providing alternative ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seem to differ

Replaces "appear" with "seem" and "vary" with "differ", offering a slight shift in emphasis while maintaining the core meaning.

appear to diverge

Substitutes "vary" with "diverge", suggesting a more significant deviation or separation.

appear to change

Uses "change" instead of "vary", indicating a transformation or alteration over time.

appear to fluctuate

Replaces "vary" with "fluctuate", implying irregular shifts or oscillations.

appear to contrast

Uses "contrast" instead of "vary", emphasizing a clear difference or opposition.

appear to deviate

Suggests a departure from a standard or norm by using the word "deviate"

seem to be different

Employs a more descriptive structure using "different" rather than "vary", making the sentence slightly more verbose.

appear to be inconsistent

Substitutes "vary" with "inconsistent", highlighting a lack of uniformity or predictability.

appear to be distinct

Highlights the separate and individual nature of items by using "distinct"

appear to be dissimilar

Replaces "vary" with "dissimilar", focusing on the lack of resemblance between things.

FAQs

How can I use "appear to vary" in a sentence?

Use "appear to vary" to suggest observed differences that aren't definitively confirmed. For example: "The symptoms of the disease "appear to vary" from patient to patient."

What's a good alternative to "appear to vary"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "seem to differ", "appear to diverge", or "appear to fluctuate" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "appears to vary" instead of "appear to vary"?

Yes, "appears to vary" is correct when referring to a singular subject. "Appear to vary" is used for plural subjects. For example: "The data "appear to vary" by region," but "The trend "appears to vary" over time."

What does "appear to vary" imply about the certainty of the variation?

"Appear to vary" suggests that the differences are observed but not definitively proven. It indicates a degree of uncertainty or preliminary observation, making it distinct from stating a known fact.