differ on the subject

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "differ on the subject" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing varying opinions or perspectives regarding a specific topic. Example: "The two experts differ on the subject of climate change, leading to a lively debate during the conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

We differ on the subject of abortion.

Huffington Post

"Often I find that when couples in my practice decide to wait to see if they align on having kids, it can be devastating to learn that they greatly differ on the subject.

Huffington Post

Which indicators are relatively more important and feasible and how the views of researchers, rehabilitation professionals and people with disabilities differ on the subject?

BMC International Health and Human Rights

However, opinions still differ on the subject whether or not to do colonoscopy in cases of complaints possibly due to haemorrhoids.

BMC Gastroenterology

Vampires may be be immortal or they may not be - interpretations differ on the subject - which means they don't necessarily have to be born in the current time period.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Most newspapers differed on the subject.

The New Yorker

In a tweet, the president's campaign strategist David Axelrod denied that the two men differed on the subject.

The Guardian

For example, until about a decade ago paleontologists and molecular biologists differed on the subject of the closest relatives of whales.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

The party platforms differ on the issue.

The New York Times

Existing works differ on how the subject of the photo is located, for example by using (1) face detection algorithms [14, 17, 18]; (2) low-level information, such as borders and regions found by the mean shift algorithm [4, 87]; or (3) by evaluating the differences of pixels positioned in those interest areas [39].

Journal of the Brazilian Computer Society

Previously it was shown that basal serum growth hormone levels among normal male and female subjects did not significantly differ on the basis of age [ 16].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add nuance, consider specifying how parties "differ on the subject". For example, "While both support the policy, they "differ on the subject" of implementation strategies."

Common error

Avoid stating that people "differ on the subject" without specifying the subject or providing any context for the disagreement. Always clarify what the differing opinions pertain to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differ on the subject" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating disagreement or variance in opinion regarding a specific topic. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

36%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "differ on the subject" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression to denote disagreements or varying opinions regarding a specific topic. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While it appears most often in News & Media and Science contexts, the phrase maintains a neutral register making it suitable for various communication styles. For greater impact and clarity, remember to specify the subject and provide context when using this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disagree about the matter

Replaces "differ" with "disagree" and "subject" with "matter", offering a more straightforward expression of disagreement.

hold conflicting views on the topic

Emphasizes the contrast in viewpoints, using "conflicting views" to highlight the opposition in opinions.

have opposing opinions regarding the issue

Substitutes "differ" with "have opposing opinions", adding formality and emphasizing the contrast in opinions.

see things differently concerning the matter

Uses a more idiomatic expression to convey the difference in perspective, replacing formal terms with everyday language.

are not in accord on the question

Replaces "differ" with "are not in accord", giving a formal and somewhat distanced tone to the disagreement.

clash in their perspectives on the theme

Employs "clash" to underscore a strong disagreement, making it more emphatic than simply differing.

diverge in their opinions about the item

Replaces "differ" with "diverge", lending a more technical or detached tone to the disagreement.

part ways on the subject matter

Uses a metaphorical expression to indicate a divergence of opinions, implying a split in agreement.

maintain dissimilar standpoints on the issue

Highlights the distinct positions held by different parties, focusing on the formality of the standpoints.

find themselves at odds regarding the subject

Uses "at odds" to indicate conflict or disagreement, adding a layer of tension to the expression.

FAQs

What does "differ on the subject" mean?

To "differ on the subject" means that individuals or groups have different opinions or disagreements about a particular topic. It indicates a divergence in viewpoints.

What can I say instead of "differ on the subject"?

You can use alternatives like "disagree about the matter", "have opposing opinions", or "hold conflicting views" depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to say "differ on the subject" or "differ about the subject"?

"Differ on the subject" is generally more common and idiomatic. While "differ about the subject" isn't incorrect, it's less frequently used. Consider using "disagree about the subject" as an alternative.

How do I use "differ on the subject" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce contrasting viewpoints, like: "Experts "differ on the subject" of economic policy." It's often followed by an explanation of the different opinions.