differ greatly

USAGE SUMMARY

"differ greatly" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when two things, ideas, or opinions are significantly different from each other. For example, "The results of this election differ greatly from the last one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

CNV numbers differ greatly among different pig populations.

BMC Genomics

Track compositions differ greatly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Their personalities differ greatly.

The New York Times - Science

The two moons differ greatly.

The Economist

So far, their assessments differ greatly.

The New York Times - Travel

Athletics meets differ greatly in presentation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The values of degrees, therefore, differ greatly.

Nature

Classes, at Bath Spa and elsewhere, differ greatly.

The Guardian - Books

The opportunities to innovate will differ greatly by segment.

Harvard Business Review

Doctors differ greatly in how they interpret tracings.

The New York Times - Health

Organizations differ greatly in their modes of production.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "differ greatly" to emphasize a substantial contrast rather than a minor variation. This highlights the importance of the divergence.

Common error

Avoid using "differ greatly" for slight variations. Reserve it for instances where the difference is significant and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differ greatly" primarily functions as a verb phrase modifier, emphasizing the extent to which two or more entities diverge. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase indicates a significant contrast. It's used to highlight substantial distinctions, not minor variations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "differ greatly" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to highlight significant differences. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread applicability. It's most frequently encountered in news, scientific, and encyclopedia contexts, signifying substantial divergence. While alternatives like "differ significantly" or "vary considerably" exist, "differ greatly" maintains its effectiveness in conveying notable distinctions. Remember to reserve its use for substantial contrasts to avoid overstating minor differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differ significantly

Emphasizes a notable difference, often statistically relevant.

differ substantially

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

differ markedly

Suggests an easily noticeable or striking difference.

vary considerably

Indicates a wide range of variation or deviation.

diverge sharply

Implies a clear separation or moving apart in different directions.

contrast strongly

Highlights distinct and opposing characteristics.

deviate substantially

Stresses a departure from a standard or expected norm.

differ widely

Indicates differences across a broad spectrum or range.

show vast differences

Emphasizes the large scale or extent of the differences.

exhibit considerable variation

Highlights the presence of diverse forms or instances.

FAQs

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

You can use "differ greatly" to compare two or more things that have significant differences. For example, "The two approaches "differ greatly" in their methodology."

What are some alternatives to "differ greatly"?

Some alternatives include "differ significantly", "differ substantially", or "vary considerably". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "differ greatly" or "differ significantly"?

"Differ significantly" might be perceived as slightly more formal, often used in academic or scientific writing. However, ""differ greatly"" is acceptable in most contexts.

What is the difference between "differ greatly" and "differ slightly"?

"Differ greatly" indicates a large and important difference, while "differ slightly" suggests a small and perhaps inconsequential difference. The choice depends on the magnitude of the variation.