deviate significantly from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deviate significantly from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing how something diverges or differs greatly from a standard, norm, or expectation. Example: "The results of the experiment deviate significantly from the initial hypothesis, indicating a need for further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He allowed one room to deviate significantly from that Beaux-Arts aesthetic.

The New York Times

In some instances the ratios of ions in rainwater deviate significantly from those in seawater.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Because of stale prices, the reported returns of hedge funds often deviate significantly from what the returns would be if the funds could use up-to-date prices.

The New York Times

"I believe it's highly unprofessional and misleading when a company's results deviate significantly from expectations, but analysts turn a blind eye and continue to tout a stock".

The New York Times

In such a statistical pattern, sometimes also referred to as a bell curve, outliers -- percentage changes that deviate significantly from the average -- are extremely rare.

The New York Times

The numerical results deviate significantly from the theoretical values represented by the solid lines.

Chemistry Central Journal

For higher loads on the frame, the results deviate significantly from the linearity.

International Journal of Advanced Structural Engineering

As a result, failure conditions and fracture patterns in these areas deviate significantly from regional trends.

Geothermal Energy

Most models do not consider such interactions and deviate significantly from experimental data.

Particuology

The trends in the two Southern regions were found to deviate significantly from the national trend.

European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology

Hence, stated interest rate can deviate significantly from the true interest rate.

Renewables: Wind, Water, and Solar

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deviate significantly from", ensure the context clearly establishes the baseline or standard from which the deviation occurs. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "deviate significantly from" when the difference is minor or negligible. Overstating the deviation can weaken your argument and mislead your audience. Use qualifiers like 'slightly' or 'moderately' for smaller differences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deviate significantly from" functions as a verb phrase acting as a predicate, indicating a substantial divergence from a particular standard or expectation. As Ludwig AI explains, this phrase highlights that a certain thing or idea notably moves away from the norm. It's used to express non-compliance or non-conformity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

18%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deviate significantly from" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to describe a notable divergence from a standard, norm, or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is common in formal contexts like scientific research, news reporting, and encyclopedic entries. When employing this phrase, clarity is essential, and overstatement should be avoided. Consider using alternatives like "differ substantially from" or "vary considerably from" to suit your specific context. While it's important to maintain precision by using such alternatives, it's equally important to ensure there is enough of a difference to be described as significantly diverging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differ substantially from

Emphasizes the magnitude of the difference, using "substantially" instead of "significantly".

vary considerably from

Highlights the variation and uses "considerably" to indicate a notable degree of difference.

diverge markedly from

Replaces "significantly" with "markedly", stressing the noticeable nature of the deviation.

depart noticeably from

Focuses on the act of departing or straying, replacing "deviate" and "significantly" with "noticeably".

stray substantially from

Uses "stray" to imply wandering off course, with "substantially" indicating a large deviation.

contrast sharply with

Emphasizes the contrast or opposition, indicating a clear difference between two things.

differ greatly from

Uses "greatly" to emphasize the extent of the difference, simplifying the structure.

veer significantly from

Emphasizes a change in direction, with "veer" suggesting a turn away from the expected path.

conflict substantially with

Highlights the clashing or opposing nature of the difference, using "conflict" to suggest disagreement.

be inconsistent with

Focuses on the lack of consistency, indicating a discrepancy or contradiction.

FAQs

How can I use "deviate significantly from" in a sentence?

You can use "deviate significantly from" to indicate that something differs notably from a standard, expectation, or norm. For example, "The experimental results "deviate significantly from" the predicted values."

What are some alternatives to "deviate significantly from"?

Alternatives include phrases like "differ substantially from", "vary considerably from", or "diverge markedly from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "deviate a lot from" or "deviate significantly from"?

"Deviate significantly from" is generally more appropriate in formal writing than "deviate a lot from", as it conveys a more precise and professional tone. "A lot" is less specific and can be replaced by alternatives such as significantly.

What does it mean when data "does not deviate significantly from" expected results?

When data "does not deviate significantly from" expected results, it means that the observed data is consistent with the predicted or anticipated outcome, and any differences are statistically insignificant.