differed greatly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "differed greatly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a significant difference between two or more things, such as opinions, results, or experiences. Example: "The two studies differed greatly in their methodologies, leading to contrasting conclusions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But these goals differed greatly between centres.

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

The results showed that the content of the six standards differed greatly in different stage.

Botanical Studies

Because of different biological characteristics, each species and provenance differed greatly in earlier and later stages of growth.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

The experiences differed greatly.

Independent

Interestingly, the range of experiences differed greatly among our respondents.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mulroney's approach to government differed greatly from that of Trudeau.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But while their primary mediums differed greatly, their interests meet on the field of drawing.

The New York Times

It differed greatly in their stories of the Sheila Mannering murder.

The New Yorker

The scene differed greatly from what rescuers had encountered at the World Trade Center.

The New York Times

The candidates differed greatly in their potential performance and technical characteristics.

Harvard Business Review

The three Lvg populations differed greatly in the level of genetic variation (Table 1).

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "differed greatly", ensure that the context clearly establishes what is being compared. This helps to emphasize the magnitude of the difference and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

While "differed greatly" is effective, avoid using it multiple times in close proximity when describing various differences. Opt for synonyms such as "varied significantly" or "contrasted sharply" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differed greatly" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a verb in the past tense modified by an adverb. It describes the action of differing, emphasizing the large extent or degree of the difference. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb phrase "differed greatly" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to emphasize significant distinctions. As Ludwig AI confirms, its primary function is to highlight substantial differences. Its usage spans diverse contexts, with prominence in Science, News & Media, and Encyclopedias, pointing to a versatile application across various communication needs. While generally neutral to formal in register, ensure clear context when using this phrase and consider synonyms to prevent repetition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

varied significantly

Focuses on the extent of variation, emphasizing the degree of difference.

diverged substantially

Highlights the act of moving in different directions, implying a separation in characteristics.

contrasted sharply

Emphasizes the distinctness of the differences, creating a strong sense of opposition.

departed markedly

Stresses the deviation from a norm or expectation, indicating a noticeable change.

showed considerable variation

Highlights the presence of diversity and the broad spectrum of differences.

presented a stark contrast

Focuses on the clear and obvious differences between the subjects being compared.

exhibited marked differences

Emphasizes the presence of notable and easily observable differences.

stood in stark contrast

Highlights the irreconcilable differences, implying a lack of similarity.

were poles apart

Uses a metaphor to emphasize extreme opposition or difference.

differed in a major way

Stresses the importance and significance of the differences.

FAQs

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

Use "differed greatly" to emphasize a significant distinction between two or more things. For example, "The two approaches to solving the problem "differed greatly", leading to different outcomes."

What are some alternatives to "differed greatly"?

You can use alternatives like "varied significantly", "diverged substantially", or "contrasted sharply" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "differed greatly" or "differed significantly"?

Both "differed greatly" and "differed significantly" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific context.

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

"Differed greatly" indicates a substantial and noticeable difference, whereas "differed slightly" suggests a minor and perhaps insignificant difference.