but in differing degrees

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but in differing degrees" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something varies in intensity or extent among different subjects or situations. Example: "The students performed well on the exam, but in differing degrees, with some achieving top scores while others struggled."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Because impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and IGT both demonstrate some features of β-cell defect and insulin resistance, but in differing degrees, the concordance between the two categories is expected to be limited (24).

Diabetes Care

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Because integrated care concerns health care organisations and their collaboration in differing degrees of intensity and in different appearances, these perspectives about organisational and network development are useful when researching the development of integrated care.

BMC Health Services Research

We each have been the Prodigal Person, in differing degrees perhaps, but each of us have made mistakes on the journey of life.

Huffington Post

We address the hypothesis that B. burgdorferi populations in the Northeast and Midwest have fundamentally different evolutionary histories, which may result in differing degrees of human invasiveness.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

However, her analysis stops short of a real but widely unacknowledged cause of these political and social dysfunctions, shared in differing degrees by "left" as well as "right" administrations.

The Guardian

Unlike Leibniz, the systematic Wolff observes that sensations come in differing degrees of clarity (German Metaphysics, §224, p. 206), but they are nevertheless all indistinct to some degree.

SEP

Hair is present in differing degrees on all mammals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Auden is an exception, though, because the poets and poems I chose are all in differing degrees accessible.

The Guardian - Books

Costs not covered by employers are shared between the state and the employee in differing degrees, depending on the social security systems in each country.

The Guardian - Money

All began by deploring the practice of deducing details of his character, values and curriculum vitae from his writings, then proceeded, in differing degrees, to do just that.

The Guardian - Books

Yes, insofar as I believe all aspects of a candidate's upbringing, character, belief system, educational background and past conduct should be carefully examined, in differing degrees of importance, when determining whom to vote for.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but in differing degrees" to accurately convey nuances in comparisons, showing that elements share a quality, action, or characteristic that varies in intensity or amount. This adds precision to your writing, indicating that while similarities exist, the extent of those similarities is not uniform.

Common error

Avoid using "but in differing degrees" when a simpler contrast would suffice. If the difference is absolute rather than a matter of degree, a straightforward "but" is more effective. For example, instead of saying 'Both cats and dogs are pets, but in differing degrees', just say 'Both cats and dogs are pets, but they have different care requirements'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but in differing degrees" functions as a conjunctive adverbial phrase. It serves to introduce a contrast while specifying that the contrasted elements vary in intensity or extent. Ludwig shows numerous examples where this phrase is used to qualify a previous statement, indicating a nuanced difference rather than a complete opposition. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "but in differing degrees" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for making nuanced comparisons. It highlights that while similarities may exist, the intensity, amount, or extent of a particular attribute is not uniform across all subjects. According to Ludwig, this phrase is deemed correct and suitable for a wide range of contexts, including science, news, and general writing. When choosing a synonym or alternative, consider what element of the original expression you want to conserve: extent, intensity, severity, quantity, etc. Remember to avoid using this phrase when a more straightforward contrast will suffice, this will contribute to a clearer and more concise writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but to varying extents

Emphasizes the variation in the range or scope of something, focusing on the degree to which something is present or applicable.

but to varying measures

Highlights that the degree of something changes across different situations or subjects with focus on quantification.

but with different intensities

Focuses specifically on variations in the strength or force of something.

but to different levels

Indicates that something exists or occurs at various stages or ranks.

but in diverse manners

Highlights that the way something is done or experienced changes.

but with unequal proportions

Emphasizes that the amounts or ratios of something are not the same.

but to disparate degrees

Implies a significant difference in the amount or level of something.

but with varied severity

Focuses on changes in the seriousness or intensity of a condition or situation.

but in altered capacities

Suggests that the ability or potential for something changes.

but with shifting scales

Implies that the extent or magnitude of something is subject to change.

FAQs

How can I use "but in differing degrees" in a sentence?

The phrase "but in differing degrees" is used to indicate that while multiple subjects share a characteristic or experience, they do so at varying levels or intensities. For example, "All the students understood the lesson, "but in differing degrees"".

What are some alternatives to "but in differing degrees"?

You can use alternatives like "but to varying extents", "but to different levels", or "but with different intensities" depending on the context.

Is it always necessary to use "but in differing degrees" when showing contrast?

No, it is not always necessary. Use "but in differing degrees" when you want to emphasize that something varies in intensity or extent, rather than simply stating a difference. A simple "but" is sufficient when the difference is absolute or qualitative.

What's the difference between "but in differing degrees" and "but in different ways"?

"But in differing degrees" indicates that something varies in intensity or amount, whereas "but in different ways" suggests that something is done or experienced through different methods or approaches. For instance, "They both showed kindness, "but in differing degrees"" implies varying levels of kindness, while "They both showed kindness, but in different ways" suggests different types of kind actions.