differ drastically

USAGE SUMMARY

"differ drastically" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to have significant or extreme differences. Example: The two paintings may look similar at first glance, but upon closer inspection, their styles differ drastically.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Different configurations of PAT differ drastically in both time and spatial resolution.

Biomedical Optics Express

The shape of this last "variable" f may differ drastically between economies –both between different contemporaneous economies and the same economy at different timesh.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

The textual differences are generally minute, but they will differ drastically in their explanation of the text.

WikiHow

This result is striking given that the study regions were 3000 km apart and differ drastically in macroclimatic properties that were likely to have favored different soil biota.

Plosone

Owing to different propagation characteristics at such high frequencies, the coverage and rate trends differ drastically from the conventional cellular systems.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The two mountain systems differ drastically.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Opinions on the morality of abortion differ drastically by faith.

The Washington Post

But the two cities differ drastically in their approaches.

The New York Times - Magazine

Where they differ, drastically, is in their design and usability.

The New York Times

Structures differ drastically in terms of their designability.

Journal of Molecular Graphics and Modelling

Aside from their biographical similarities, Lafrenière and Crosby differ drastically in style.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "differ drastically", ensure that the context clearly establishes what two or more things are being compared. This makes the statement more impactful and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "differ drastically" when the differences are subtle or insignificant. Reserve it for situations where the variations are substantial and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differ drastically" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the relationship between two or more entities that exhibit significant dissimilarity. Ludwig AI confirms this is a usable phrase in written english.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

32%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "differ drastically" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to highlight significant differences between two or more subjects. According to Ludwig, this phrase is usable in written English and commonly appears in various contexts, from scientific and academic writing to news media. Its prevalence across authoritative sources like The New York Times and Nature underscores its versatility and acceptance in formal and informal communication. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being compared and that the differences are indeed substantial. Alternatives such as "vary significantly" or "contrast sharply" can be used to convey similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differ substantially

Highlights a considerable difference in amount, degree, or significance.

vary significantly

This alternative indicates a notable difference, focusing on the variation between items.

stand in stark contrast

Presents a striking opposition, emphasizing the lack of similarity.

contrast sharply

This phrase emphasizes a clear and distinct difference, highlighting the contrasting elements.

are markedly different

Emphasizes the noticeable or evident nature of the difference.

diverge greatly

This suggests a deviation from a common point, with a strong sense of separation.

show considerable variation

Focuses on the extent of variance, highlighting the range of differences.

exhibit notable differences

Focuses on the presence and observability of the disparities.

are worlds apart

This is an idiomatic expression indicating extreme dissimilarity.

are dissimilar in nature

Highlights the fundamental differences in the characteristics or qualities.

FAQs

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

Use "differ drastically" to emphasize significant variations between two or more subjects. For example, "The two approaches to solving the problem "differ drastically" in their effectiveness".

What are some alternatives to saying "differ drastically"?

You can use alternatives like "vary significantly", "contrast sharply", or "diverge greatly" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "differ drastically" in formal writing?

Yes, "differ drastically" is suitable for formal writing when you want to emphasize a substantial difference. However, ensure the tone aligns with the overall formality of the piece.

What's the difference between "differ drastically" and "differ slightly"?

"Differ drastically" indicates a large, significant difference, while "differ slightly" suggests a small, almost negligible difference. The choice depends on the magnitude of the variation you want to convey.