are vastly different

USAGE SUMMARY

"are vastly different" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe two or more things or ideas that are not similar or linked in any way. For example: The goals of the two political parties are vastly different.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their styles are vastly different.

The New York Times

Now, things are vastly different.

The New York Times

These are vastly different.

University of California, Berkeley

jobs, which are vastly different.

The New York Times

Their methods are vastly different.

The New York Times

In spirit they are vastly different.

The New York Times - Arts

Google and Motorola are vastly different culturally.

Stanford University

But the two are vastly different.

Harvard Business Review

The two companies are vastly different.

The New York Times

Beliefs that are vastly different from Jürgen Klinsmann's.

The Guardian - Sport

But the circumstances this time are vastly different.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are vastly different" to clearly and emphatically highlight significant distinctions between two or more subjects. This signals a considerable divergence that is important to recognize.

Common error

Avoid using "are vastly different" when the differences are subtle or minor. Overusing this phrase can diminish its impact and credibility. Reserve it for genuinely substantial distinctions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are vastly different" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It qualifies a noun or noun phrase by emphasizing a significant degree of dissimilarity. As confirmed by Ludwig, it highlights that the subjects being compared are not at all alike. See all the examples for real world contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Academia

14%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are vastly different" is a versatile and widely used adjective phrase that serves to highlight significant dissimilarities between two or more subjects. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. Its prevalence across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia, underscores its importance in conveying substantial distinctions. When using "are vastly different", it's crucial to reserve it for cases where the differences are genuinely significant to avoid diluting its impact. Instead, consider alternatives such as "differ significantly", "contrast sharply", or "bear little resemblance" for nuanced distinctions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differ significantly

This alternative focuses on the act of differing but emphasizes the magnitude of the difference.

are substantially dissimilar

This option uses 'dissimilar' to highlight the lack of similarity and 'substantially' to stress the extent of the difference.

contrast sharply

This phrase emphasizes the contrast between the subjects, suggesting a clear and noticeable difference.

diverge greatly

This suggests a branching out or moving away from each other in a significant manner.

bear little resemblance

This indicates a minimal amount of similarity, emphasizing the distinctness of the subjects.

are worlds apart

This idiom conveys a large difference, implying that the subjects are very distinct and unrelated.

stand in stark contrast

Similar to 'contrast sharply', this highlights the obvious and significant differences.

couldn't be more different

This emphasizes the extreme degree of difference between the subjects, implying near opposites.

differ by leaps and bounds

Emphasizes the significant and substantial degree of difference between the subjects.

lack common ground

This focuses on the absence of shared qualities or characteristics, indicating a fundamental difference.

FAQs

How can I use "are vastly different" in a sentence?

You can use "are vastly different" to emphasize significant distinctions between two or more subjects. For example, "Their approaches to the problem "are vastly different"".

What phrases can I use instead of "are vastly different"?

Alternatives include "differ significantly", "contrast sharply", or "bear little resemblance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "is vastly different"?

No, "is vastly different" is grammatically incorrect when referring to multiple subjects. The correct form is "are vastly different" when discussing two or more things.

What's the difference between "are vastly different" and "are slightly different"?

"Are vastly different" indicates a significant and substantial divergence, while "are slightly different" suggests only minor variations. The former emphasizes major distinctions, while the latter acknowledges only small differences.