differ greatly from

USAGE SUMMARY

"differ greatly from" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to compare two different things that have many differences between them. For example, "The lifestyles of people in rural areas differ greatly from those of people in urban areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The small ones differ greatly from the large ones, and may have experienced different histories.

Huffington Post

The report concludes: Public perceptions and preferences of the UK tax distribution differ greatly from thereality.

The Guardian

For example, she said, some people do not realize that many neighborhoods differ greatly from day to night.

The New York Times

Generally, soil conditions in Sarawak and Sabah do not differ greatly from those on the peninsula.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Apple's policies do not differ greatly from those of scores of other multinational operations.

The New York Times

Hamer says buyers can feel rightly aggrieved if they have travelled some distance to view a property where the images differ greatly from the reality.

The Guardian - Money

The charges announced by Marilyn J. Mosby, the state's attorney for Baltimore City, do not differ greatly from those she initially filed against the officers.

The New York Times

For now all we know is that the Kremlin's numbers and assumptions of what will happen next year differ greatly from calculations made by others.

The Guardian

As is often the case with EU directives, the end result will probably differ greatly from this week's wish list.

The Economist

In many ways Hermia doesn't differ greatly from many of the parts that Ms. Ricci has played.

The New York Times

These differ greatly from most other dialects, which are derived from North Arabic (as is Modern Standard Arabic).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "differ greatly from" when emphasizing significant and impactful distinctions between two subjects. For example, "The economic policies of the two countries differ greatly from each other, leading to divergent outcomes."

Common error

Avoid using "differ greatly from" in casual conversation where simpler alternatives like "are very different from" or "aren't anything like" would sound more natural. Overusing formal phrasing can make your speech or writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differ greatly from" functions as a comparative verb phrase, indicating that two or more things possess significant dissimilarities. It's often used to highlight notable distinctions, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "differ greatly from" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to highlight substantial dissimilarities between two or more entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, its function is primarily comparative, emphasizing notable distinctions across various contexts. While versatile, the phrase is most commonly found in scientific, news-related, and encyclopedic sources, suggesting a formal to neutral register. When using "differ greatly from", it's important to ensure the context warrants such a strong emphasis on difference, and to avoid overuse in informal settings. Consider alternatives like "differ significantly from" or "vary considerably from" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differ substantially from

Emphasizes a notable difference but might imply slightly less magnitude than "greatly".

differ significantly from

Highlights that the difference is statistically or practically important.

differ markedly from

Implies a noticeable and easily observable difference.

contrast sharply with

Focuses on the distinct opposition or divergence between two things.

vary considerably from

Suggests differences in degree or extent.

diverge significantly from

Highlights a deviation from a common point or standard.

stand in stark contrast to

Emphasizes a very clear and obvious difference.

deviate considerably from

Focuses on a departure from an established norm or path.

bear little resemblance to

Indicates that there are few similarities between the compared items.

are worlds apart from

Emphasizes an extreme difference, suggesting almost no common ground.

FAQs

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

Use "differ greatly from" to highlight significant distinctions between two things. For example, "The two approaches to solving the problem "differ greatly from" each other."

What are some alternatives to "differ greatly from"?

You can use alternatives like "differ significantly from", "vary considerably from", or "contrast sharply with" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "differ greatly from" or "are very different from"?

"Differ greatly from" is more formal and emphasizes a substantial difference. "Are very different from" is more common in informal contexts. The best choice depends on your audience and the tone you want to set.

In what situations is "differ greatly from" most appropriate?

The phrase ""differ greatly from"" is most appropriate in formal writing, academic papers, or professional reports where you need to clearly emphasize significant distinctions between subjects or concepts.