differ depending on

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "differ depending on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you are making a comparison between two or more things that may vary based on a particular condition. Example: The flavors of the ice cream at this store differ depending on the day of the week.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Treatment options differ, depending on the pest.

The New York Times

Consumer priorities differ depending on the type of product.

The Guardian

The payment plans differ depending on the network.

The New York Times

The levels of expectation obviously differ depending on the team.

The New York Times - Sports

Its financial prospects differ depending on the forecasters.

The New York Times

The study found that those reasons did not differ depending on insurance status.

The New York Times

Did transitions differ depending on the media type within a scene?

The Guardian

The drawings also reveal the stages of the design process and differ depending on their purpose.

The New York Times

The overall longevity and potential toxicity may differ depending on the color.

The Guardian

The features differ depending on how you're accessing the service — iPhone, Web, whatever.

The New York Times - Tech

Q.Why does a Web page's appearance differ depending on whether I am using Internet Explorer or Netscape Communicator?

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid redundancy by ensuring that the 'differ' and 'depending on' components both contribute unique meaning. Rephrasing can sometimes improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "differ depending on" without clearly specifying what factors cause the difference. Vague usage diminishes clarity and weakens the statement. For example, instead of saying 'Results differ depending on the method', specify 'Results differ depending on the method used, with Method A yielding significantly higher values than Method B'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differ depending on" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or clause, indicating that a difference exists and is conditional on a specific factor. Ludwig AI examples show its widespread use in various contexts to express conditional variation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "differ depending on" is a versatile and commonly used prepositional phrase that indicates variation based on specific conditions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across diverse contexts. Its purpose is to highlight how distinctions are contingent on certain factors, providing a nuanced understanding. While suitable for neutral register, it frequently appears in News & Media and Science contexts. To ensure clarity, always specify the influencing factors and avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "vary according to" or "depend on" can be used, depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vary according to

Replaces 'differ' with 'vary' and 'depending on' with 'according to', slightly altering the tone.

change based on

Uses 'change' instead of 'differ' and 'based on' to replace 'depending on', indicating a transformation influenced by something.

depend on

A shorter, more direct way of saying "differ depending on", focusing on the condition influencing the difference.

are contingent on

Replaces 'differ depending on' with 'are contingent on', suggesting a conditional relationship.

hinge upon

Implies that the difference dramatically 'hinges upon' the condition.

are subject to

Suggests that the differences are 'subject to' the influence of a condition.

are conditional on

Emphasizes the 'conditional' nature of the difference.

fluctuate with

Replaces 'differ' with 'fluctuate', highlighting the dynamic nature of the change.

shift according to

Uses 'shift' to suggest a change in position or state based on a condition.

are determined by

Emphasizes the factor which will 'determine' the differences.

FAQs

How can I use "differ depending on" in a sentence?

Use "differ depending on" to show that something varies based on certain conditions. For example: 'The side effects of the medication "differ depending on" the dosage'.

What's a simpler way to say "differ depending on"?

Alternatives include "'depend on'" or "'vary according to'". For example: 'The price "depend on" the season'.

Is it correct to say "differs depending on"?

Yes, "differs depending on" is grammatically correct when the subject is singular. For example: 'The outcome "differs depending on" the approach'.

What is the difference between "differ depending on" and "vary depending on"?

While both indicate variation, "vary depending on" emphasizes a range or scale of differences, whereas "differ depending on" simply indicates that differences exist. The terms are largely interchangeable, but their nuance "differs depending on" context.