differ according to

USAGE SUMMARY

"differ according to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are contrasting two or more things based on different criteria. For example: The characteristics of a fruit can differ according to its species.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many etiologies should be searched, and therapeutic approaches differ according to these different causes.

Annals of Intensive Care

However, the boundaries of different organizations in community differ according to changes in time and space.

The Journal of Chinese Sociology

Routine surveillance systems differ according to the different regions.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Why and how they participated in the riots will differ according to their circumstances.

The Guardian

Mick Travis is a shape-shifter whose circumstances and attitudes differ according to Anderson's purpose.

The Guardian - Film

This amount will differ according to the number of people in the unit.

The Guardian

Families differ according to the thickness and strength of their blood.

The New Yorker

Beyond their meaning, words also differ according to how easy they are to pronounce.

The New Yorker

How do the views of village residents Kim Woo Ja and Bai Jung Il differ, according to the article?

The New York Times

For a start, the strains differ according to country, and no, you can't catch it from other people.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This will differ according to customer needs.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "differ according to", ensure that the categories or criteria you are using for comparison are clearly defined and relevant to your subject. This provides clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

A common mistake is to use "differ according to" without specifying how they differ. Always provide explicit details on the differentiating factors to enhance comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differ according to" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating that variations or distinctions exist based on the criteria specified. It introduces a condition that determines how something varies. As Ludwig AI says, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

51%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "differ according to" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that variations or distinctions exist based on specific conditions or criteria. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts. It is most frequently found in scientific and news-related content. When using this phrase, ensure you clearly define the criteria causing the variation to improve clarity. Alternatives like "vary depending on" or "change based on" can be employed for stylistic variation. With a high expert rating, this phrase is suitable for formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vary depending on

Changes the wording to emphasize dependency, using "depending on" instead of "according to".

depend on the

Emphasizes reliance on something for a specific outcome or result.

change based on

Focuses on the alteration or modification that occurs due to a specific factor.

are contingent upon

Introduces a sense of conditionality and reliance on certain circumstances.

are subject to

Highlights how something is influenced or governed by certain conditions or rules.

hinge on

Implies that the result or outcome pivots on a particular element.

are determined by

Emphasizes the factors that dictate or define the outcome or characteristics.

are relative to

Indicates that something's value or nature is understood in comparison to something else.

correlate with

Shows a mutual relationship or connection between two or more things.

are a function of

Expresses that something is directly reliant on another, often implying a mathematical or systematic relationship.

FAQs

How can I use "differ according to" in a sentence?

Use "differ according to" to indicate that variations exist based on specific criteria. For example, "Treatment options "differ according to" the severity of the condition".

What are some alternatives to "differ according to"?

Alternatives include phrases like "vary depending on", "change based on", or "are contingent upon", each subtly altering the emphasis of the sentence.

Is there a difference between "differ according to" and "depend on"?

"Differ according to" emphasizes variation across different categories or conditions, while "depend on" highlights a reliance or causal relationship. The choice depends on whether you want to stress variation or dependency.

How formal is the phrase "differ according to"?

The phrase "differ according to" is suitable for both neutral and formal contexts. It's commonly used in academic, scientific, and professional writing.