can differ greatly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "can differ greatly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that there is a significant variation or difference in something, often in comparison to another thing. Example: "The results of the experiment can differ greatly depending on the conditions under which it was conducted."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Taken together these analyses show that the organization of different phenotypes in genotype space can differ greatly among different classes of biological systems, such as proteins and metabolic networks.

BMC Systems Biology

Moreover, the reactions these genes' proteins catalyze have not changed since, although the location, timing and function of these reactions can differ greatly in different classes or phyla.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Spore virulence and persistence can differ greatly between different fungal strains within and between hyphomycetous species, and can be optimized through production methods and formulation [33].

Plosone

However, the run-time behavior of different sporadic servers can differ greatly, depending on their predefined consumption and replenishment rules.

Real-Time Embedded Systems Design Principles and Engineering Practices

Consequently, the here presented growth charts represent different cultures and ethnicities, which can differ greatly [ 2, 9, 11].

European Journal of Pediatrics

The specific reasoning strategies that scientists routinely employ will reflect differences in underlying epistemological aims and commitments and can differ greatly both within and between disciplinary subcultures (Knorr-Cetina, 1999).

CBE Life Sciences Education

It is worth noting that, when using different FDRs or minimum length cutoffs, the number of identified RDNPs can differ greatly.

Bioinformatics

Moreover, said Joe Hovorka, an analyst with the brokerage firm Raymond James, commercial and naval ship technology can differ greatly.

The New York Times

And if our study can show that people of similar dispositions on many levels can differ greatly in strategy tactics and goals, that's a lot better.

The New York Times - Magazine

Definitions of full service can differ greatly, said Cathy Whatley, a real estate agent in Jacksonville, Fla., and president-elect of the National Association of Realtors.

The New York Times

From the point of view of conservation, different types of wall paintings have features in common, though the techniques of restoration required for each can differ greatly in detail.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can differ greatly", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared. This adds precision and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "can differ greatly" without providing specific examples or explanations of how things differ. Simply stating they differ isn't informative enough; elaborate on the key distinctions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can differ greatly" functions as a qualifier, emphasizing the extent of dissimilarity between entities. As indicated by Ludwig, this phrase is widely used to highlight significant variations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

77%

News & Media

15%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "can differ greatly" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to highlight significant differences or variations between entities. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is acceptable for use in written English and finds its strongest use in scientific and technical fields, but also appears regularly in news and media. Alternatives such as "may vary considerably" and "can vary significantly" offer similar emphasis. When employing this phrase, ensure clear contextual references to prevent ambiguity and provide specific examples to enhance informativeness. Though versatile, be mindful of the formality level, reserving "can differ greatly" for neutral to formal contexts. Overall, this phrase is a valuable tool for precise and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may vary considerably

Replaces "can differ greatly" with synonyms "vary" and "considerably", implying a substantial difference.

can vary significantly

Uses "vary" and "significantly" to convey a large degree of difference, similar to the original phrase.

can diverge substantially

Employs "diverge" and "substantially" to indicate a considerable deviation or difference.

may differ substantially

Uses "differ" and "substantially" to express a large degree of difference.

can be quite different

Replaces "greatly" with "quite different", indicating a notable dissimilarity.

may be markedly different

Substitutes "can differ greatly" with "may be markedly different" which also suggest considerable variation.

can contrast sharply

Replaces "differ greatly" with "contrast sharply", emphasizing a strong and noticeable difference.

can deviate widely

Employs "deviate widely" to suggest a significant departure or difference from a norm or expectation.

may show substantial variation

Replaces "can differ greatly" with "may show substantial variation", conveying a considerable range of differences.

can fluctuate wildly

Uses "fluctuate wildly" to indicate large and unpredictable variations.

FAQs

How can I use "can differ greatly" in a sentence?

Use "can differ greatly" to emphasize significant variations between two or more entities. For instance: "The cost of living "can differ greatly" between urban and rural areas."

What are some alternatives to "can differ greatly"?

Alternatives include "may vary considerably", "can vary significantly", or "may differ substantially". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "can differ greatly" or "can differ a lot"?

"Can differ greatly" is more formal and often preferred in academic or professional writing. "Can differ a lot" is acceptable in informal contexts, but lacks the emphasis and precision of "can differ greatly."

What's the difference between "can differ greatly" and "can be similar"?

"Can differ greatly" highlights differences and variations, while "can be similar" emphasizes commonalities. They represent opposite ends of a spectrum. The choice depends on whether you want to focus on distinctions or resemblances.