at variance with

USAGE SUMMARY

"at variance with" is correct and usable in written English.
It means "in opposition/contrast to" or "not in agreement with". For example, "The new regulations are at variance with our company's policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's very much at variance with market expectations.

The Guardian - Business

How might these treat findings at variance with their own?

The Guardian

Especially when the "Shakespeare tradition" has so often been at variance with his approach to theatre.

The Guardian

Norway has a far-right political presence at variance with Scandinavia's vaunted egalitarianism.

The Guardian - Books

He wrote that it "was clearly at variance with applicable law".

The New Yorker

The actual biography of Uncle Ben is at variance with his fanciful new identity.

The New York Times

Forensic evidence is at variance with parts of the officer's account, the inquiry has heard.

The Guardian

What explains this decision, apparently at variance with the UUP's role in the process thus far?

The Guardian - Opinion

Again, this is at variance with the evidence.

The Guardian - Opinion

Consider one example of work rules at variance with reality.

The New York Times

This conclusion, however, is at variance with most of the biblical and archaeological evidence.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at variance with" to indicate a clear disagreement or inconsistency between two things. It's more formal than saying something "differs from" something else.

Common error

Avoid using "at variance with" in very informal contexts. It can sound overly formal or stilted in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "different from" or "doesn't match".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at variance with" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe something that is in disagreement or conflict with something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Academia

19%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at variance with" is a prepositional phrase functioning as an adjective that indicates disagreement or inconsistency. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and general usability. It's most commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, suggesting a formal or neutral tone. When writing, remember that while generally appropriate, simpler alternatives may suit informal settings better. Related phrases include "inconsistent with", "in conflict with", and "at odds with". The examples on Ludwig underscore that this phrase clearly conveys a contradiction. Ludwig's analysis of the data highlights the phrase's versatility and widespread use in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inconsistent with

Focuses on a lack of alignment or logical coherence.

in conflict with

Highlights a direct clash or opposition.

at odds with

Emphasizes disagreement or contention.

contrary to

Indicates a direct opposite or contradiction.

in opposition to

Stresses resistance or antagonism.

deviating from

Suggests a departure from a standard or expected path.

not in accordance with

Highlights a failure to comply with rules, standards, or agreements.

at loggerheads with

Implies a state of deadlock or irreconcilable disagreement.

out of sync with

Focuses on a lack of harmony or coordination.

dissonant with

Emphasizes a lack of agreement or harmony, often in a more abstract or conceptual sense.

FAQs

How to use "at variance with" in a sentence?

Use "at variance with" to show disagreement or inconsistency between two statements, facts, or ideas. For example: "His account of the events is "at variance with" the police report."

What can I say instead of "at variance with"?

You can use alternatives like "inconsistent with", "in conflict with", or "at odds with" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "at variance with" or "in variance with"?

"At variance with" is the correct and idiomatic expression. "In variance with" is not standard usage.

What's the difference between "at variance with" and "different from"?

"At variance with" is generally more formal and implies a stronger disagreement or incompatibility than the more neutral phrase "different from". For example: "The data is "different from" our expectations" vs. "The data is "at variance with" the established theory".