differ by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "differ by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that two or more things have different values. For example, "The total amount of money in each account differs by $200."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The issues differ by country.

The New York Times

Laws on repossession differ by state.

The Economist

Payments to farmers differ by region.

The New York Times

The rules for internships differ by state.

The New Yorker

Other priorities will differ by country.

The Economist

In Canada, overtime regulations differ by jurisdiction.

The Guardian - Money

But some may differ by population.

The New York Times

The print media differ by brand.

The New York Times

Customs differ by nationality, of course.

The New York Times - Magazine

In the United States, regulations differ by state.

The New York Times

Do the responses differ by age or gender?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "differ by", ensure you clearly specify the units or criteria by which the difference is measured. For instance, instead of saying "the prices differ", specify "the prices differ by $10".

Common error

Avoid using "differ by" without clarifying the basis of the difference. Saying "opinions differ" is vague; instead, state "opinions differ by age group" to provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differ by" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that indicates a quantitative difference or variance between two or more entities. As Ludwig shows, it is often used to specify the degree or amount of this difference.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

59%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "differ by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used way to express the quantitative difference between two or more items. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is accepted and correct. It is commonly found in news, scientific publications, and various other forms of writing. To maximize clarity, always specify the units or criteria by which the difference is measured. While the phrase is versatile, alternatives like "vary according to" or "are distinguished by" can offer nuanced ways to convey differences depending on the specific context. "Differ by" is an extremely useful prepositional phrase to add to anyone's repertoire.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show differences in

This is a direct and straightforward way to point out existing variances.

vary according to

This alternative emphasizes that the difference is conditional and depends on something else.

exhibit variations in

This suggests that there are multiple slight differences or changes.

diverge based on

This phrase indicates a branching out or separation, suggesting a more significant difference.

contrast depending on

This implies that the difference is more apparent when items are compared directly and influenced by a specific condition.

are distinguished by

This highlights that the difference serves to identify or categorize items separately.

are dissimilar in terms of

This phrase specifies that the difference lies in particular aspects or parameters.

differ in relation to

This indicates that the difference is observed when comparing in regards to something else.

shift in accordance with

This highlights a change that happens alongside and in response to something else.

are not the same with respect to

This phrases denotes there are a few specific things that two or more items do not have in common.

FAQs

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

Use "differ by" to show a quantitative difference between two or more items. For example, "The two models "differ by" 5 horsepower" or "Their salaries "differ by" $10,000 annually".

What's the difference between "differ by" and "vary by"?

"Differ by" typically suggests a measurable difference, while "vary by" implies a range or spectrum of differences. For instance, sizes "differ by" inches, but opinions might "vary by" a wide margin.

What are some alternatives to "differ by"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "vary according to", "are distinguished by", or "show differences in" as alternatives to "differ by".

Is it correct to say "The results did not differ by gender"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. This construction is commonly used in research and analysis to indicate that there was no significant difference observed between different gender groups. The meaning is that the results did not show any discrepancies "differ by" gender.