differ drastically from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "differ drastically from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to highlight significant differences between two or more subjects or items. Example: "The results of the experiment differ drastically from our initial hypothesis, leading us to reconsider our approach."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

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

Interestingly, in untreated 3T3 fibroblasts, the ensemble-averaged MSD from particles in lamellar regions did not differ drastically from that of particles in perinuclear regions (Fig. S3), and differences in ensemble-averaged MSD values at time lags τ = 0.1, 1, and 10 s between perinuclear and lamellar populations were not statistically significant.

Plosone

What happened in the state capitol and in Ferguson showed that one resident's reality can differ drastically from another's.

The Guardian - Opinion

Though the numbers differ drastically from one campus to the next, all but the most elite college students are being taught by overworked and underpaid adjunct lecturers.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Sex and the City 2," of course, plays out in Abu Dhabi, where the quartet of New York women face mores that differ drastically from those at home.

The New Yorker

Movie directors have the power to film a sport in ways that differ drastically from the familiar patterns in which television broadcasts confine it.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Although records indicate there was a play called Pocahontas; or the Indian Princess, credited as being adapted by T.A. Cooper, that played The Theatre Royal at Drury Lane in London on December 15 , 1820 and subsequently on December 16 and December 19, the piece differed drastically from Barker's original and featured a completely different cast of characters.

Wikipedia

But clearly, Burress's view of the "right thing" differs drastically from Coach Tom Coughlin's.

The New York Times - Sports

If it differs drastically from the description the customer service team will source an alternative property in the area and recoup payment from the original host.

The Guardian - Travel

But Jancsó's late style, with its antic play-acting and the director's own frame-breaking presence, differs drastically from the choreographed majesty of his earlier films.

The New Yorker

"Let the Sunshine In" is also a peculiarly insightful glimpse into the emotional fluidity within the formal boundaries of French culture, which differs drastically from the sharp boundaries within the supposed fluidity of American life.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "differ drastically from", ensure that the context clearly establishes what two things are being compared. It's essential to articulate both subjects to avoid ambiguity and strengthen the comparison's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "differ drastically from" if the distinction is subtle or not immediately apparent. Instead, reserve this phrase for instances where the contrast is substantial and significant, otherwise opt for weaker alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differ drastically from" functions as a comparative verb phrase used to highlight a significant divergence or contrast between two or more entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a usable and correct phrase. The Examples in Ludwig show it used across different contexts to emphasize a notable disparity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "differ drastically from" is a grammatically sound and commonly used comparative expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's primarily employed to emphasize a significant difference between two or more things, appearing frequently in scientific, news, and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to use this phrase when the difference is genuinely substantial, and to clearly define what is being compared. Alternatives like "differ significantly from" or "vary substantially from" can be considered when the difference is less extreme. By understanding its function, purpose, and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively use "differ drastically from" to add clarity and impact to their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differ radically from

Replaces "drastically" with "radically", suggesting a fundamental and extreme difference.

differ fundamentally from

Highlights that the difference is at the core or foundation of the subjects being compared.

differ significantly from

Replaces "drastically" with "significantly", indicating a notable difference, but potentially less extreme.

vary substantially from

Uses "vary" instead of "differ" and "substantially" instead of "drastically", conveying a considerable difference.

differ markedly from

Uses "markedly" to indicate a noticeable and clear difference.

contrast sharply with

Employs "contrast sharply" to emphasize the distinct and opposing nature of the differences.

differ materially from

Emphasizes that the difference is significant and relevant, particularly in a formal or legal context.

diverge markedly from

Replaces "differ" with "diverge" and "drastically" with "markedly", indicating a notable departure or deviation.

deviate considerably from

Uses "deviate" to suggest a departure from a standard or norm, and "considerably" to highlight the extent of the difference.

depart dramatically from

Uses "depart" instead of "differ" and "dramatically" instead of "drastically", conveying a theatrical or striking difference.

FAQs

What does it mean when things "differ drastically from" each other?

It means there's a very large or noticeable difference between them. The phrase is used to emphasize that the differences are significant and easily observed.

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

You can use it to compare two or more things, highlighting a major discrepancy. For instance: "The new policy "differs drastically from" the previous one."

Are there synonyms for "differ drastically from"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "differ significantly from", "vary substantially from", or "contrast sharply with", depending on the context.

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

"Differ drastically from" emphasizes a major difference, while "differ slightly from" suggests only a minor difference. The choice depends on the magnitude of the contrast you wish to convey.