deviate substantially

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deviate substantially" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing significant departures from a standard, norm, or expectation in various contexts, such as research, policy, or behavior. Example: "The results of the study deviate substantially from previous findings, indicating a need for further investigation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Their actual temperature may deviate substantially from ambient atmospheric conditions as reported by weather stations.

Agricultural and Forest Meteorology

These results deviate substantially from those expected by simpler calculations, including a one-dimensional model.

Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical

If an external rule like SOX is imposed, the firms could deviate substantially from their optimal form of governance.

Columbia University

But the VG turbine unsteady performance was found to deviate substantially from the quasi-steady assumption, compared to a nozzleless turbine.

8th International Conference on Turbochargers and Turbocharging

All treatments, however, resulted in sustainable populations; size distributions did not deviate substantially from a descending monotonic distribution over the 300-yr period.

Forest Ecology and Management

Numerical analysis shows that the instantaneous velocities deviate substantially from their mean values which are usually used as the estimated velocities in modern engineering methodologies.

Ocean Engineering

It was found that the results for the exponential correction factor deviate substantially from the mentioned theoretical value for large correlation lengths and small roughness exponents.

Measurement

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

At large i (i >> a), this distribution is indistinguishable from a power law, but at small i, it deviates substantially, with the magnitude of the deviation depending on a. Power law distributions and the associated scale-free networks are compatible with the intuitively plausible mechanism of evolution by preferential attachment although other modes of evolution are also possible [ 9, 14].

BMC Evolutionary Biology

If the next government deviates substantially from the reform programme it will pay a price.

The Economist

Nevertheless, central bankers who are aware of the merits of the arguments for policy rules have on occasion deviated substantially from the prescriptions of standard policy rules.

Columbia University

This is worth the price of a ticket alone, although Norris's take on the 1966 Broadway show, which deviates substantially from the later film version with Liza Minnelli, always wants to have its cake and eat it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deviate substantially" when you want to emphasize a significant departure from an expected norm, standard, or baseline. This phrase is suitable for formal writing and conveys a considerable degree of difference.

Common error

Avoid using "deviate substantially" in casual conversation or informal writing. The phrase is formal and may sound out of place in less serious contexts. Consider using simpler alternatives like "differ a lot" or "vary significantly" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deviate substantially" functions as a verb phrase, modifying a noun or subject by indicating a significant departure from a standard, norm, or expectation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a proper and usable english construct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

76%

News & Media

12%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "deviate substantially" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to describe a significant departure from a standard or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for formal writing. It finds its main application in scientific, academic, and formal business contexts to emphasize a considerable degree of difference. While "differ significantly", "vary considerably", and "diverge markedly" serve as useful alternatives, writers should be mindful of the formal tone and avoid overuse in casual settings. Ultimately, using "deviate substantially" appropriately enhances the precision and impact of written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differ substantially

Focuses on the difference, while maintaining similar wording with a slight change in word order for a subtle shift in emphasis.

differ significantly

Changes the verb to "differ" emphasizing the difference, while "significantly" maintains the magnitude of deviation.

vary considerably

Replaces "deviate" with "vary" and "substantially" with "considerably", focusing on the extent of variation.

diverge markedly

Uses "diverge" to highlight a split or branching off, and "markedly" to indicate a noticeable degree of deviation.

depart significantly

Employs "depart" suggesting a move away from something, with "significantly" underscoring the importance of the departure.

stray considerably

"Stray" implies wandering off course, while "considerably" indicates the extent of the wandering.

differ materially

This alternative emphasizes that the difference is important and relevant in a legal or business sense.

veer sharply

Suggests a sudden change in direction, with "sharply" emphasizing the abruptness.

shift dramatically

Indicates a major change or alteration, with "dramatically" highlighting the scale of the change.

retreat considerably

This implies drawing back to a large degree from a previous position or standard.

FAQs

How can I use "deviate substantially" in a sentence?

You can use "deviate substantially" to describe a significant difference or departure from a norm. For example, "The experimental results "deviate substantially" from the theoretical predictions".

What can I say instead of "deviate substantially"?

You can use alternatives like "differ significantly", "vary considerably", or "diverge markedly" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "deviate substantially" or "differ substantially"?

Both "deviate substantially" and "differ substantially" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Deviate" implies a departure from a standard, while "differ" simply indicates a difference. Choose the word that best fits the specific context.

What does "deviate substantially" imply about the magnitude of difference?

The phrase "deviate substantially" implies that the difference is considerable and significant. It suggests that the departure from the norm or expectation is not minor or negligible.