different extents

USAGE SUMMARY

"different extents" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to discuss two or more things that differ in degree or intensity. For example, "The effects of the storm varied throughout the town, with some areas being affected to different extents."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Those rules are voluntary, however, and are followed to different extents by different regions.

The New York Times

Connecticut, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and other states have, to different extents, followed suit.

The New Yorker

And ultimately all three films, to different extents, analyse and rebel against notions of popularity and convention.

The Guardian - Tech

"Both of you, to slightly different extents, have lived the dream of professional football, as is every small boy's dreams".

The Guardian - Sport

Joe Jordan, McLeish, Owen Coyle, Billy Davies and Walter Smith have been quoted to different extents since Levein's sacking.

The Guardian - Sport

In this experiment, the tempo was changed to different extents.

EURASIP Journal on Audio, Speech, and Music Processing

Training and/or skill development was used to different extents.

Health & Justice

Excavation may disturb the rock mass to different extents.

Elsevier Geo-Engineering Book Series

Different schools do this in different ways and to different extents.

Science Magazine

This was expected as each student was expected to be motivated to different extents.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Some people proceed to different extents, including medically.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing the impact of several factors, use "different extents" to clearly indicate that these factors have varying degrees of influence. For example, "The new policies affected different departments to "different extents", requiring tailored implementation strategies."

Common error

Avoid using "different extents" when discussing items that are qualitatively different rather than varying in degree. For instance, instead of saying "The project involved different extents of planning and execution", clarify by stating "The project involved detailed planning and rapid execution" to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "different extents" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the degree or scope to which something varies or differs. Ludwig provides examples of its use in diverse contexts, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

66%

News & Media

21%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "different extents" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express variations in degree, scope, or impact. As validated by Ludwig, the phrase is versatile, fitting diverse contexts from scientific research to news reporting. It's crucial to use this phrase when precision about varying levels is required, avoiding misuse with qualitatively different items. While alternatives like "varying degrees" or "different levels" exist, "different extents" offers a specific emphasis on scope and magnitude. Its prevalence in authoritative sources ensures its reliability in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

varying degrees

Changes the noun from "extents" to "degrees", emphasizing the level or intensity of variation.

different levels

Replaces "extents" with "levels", focusing on hierarchical variation rather than scope or range.

to varying degrees

Adds "to", which emphasizes the fact that something can happens with different intensity or levels.

diverse magnitudes

Substitutes "extents" with "magnitudes", highlighting the size or importance of the differences.

different scales

Uses "scales" instead of "extents", suggesting a proportional or relative variation.

various proportions

Emphasizes the relative amount or ratio of something, changing the focus from absolute scope to comparative amounts.

distinct intensities

Focuses on the strength or concentration of something, using "intensities" to convey the degree of effect or impact.

unequal measures

Highlights the disparity in quantity or degree, using "measures" to indicate a quantifiable difference.

differing amounts

Emphasizes numerical differences, using "amounts" to specify the quantity or size of the variation.

dissimilar ranges

Focuses on the span or scope of the differences, using "ranges" to indicate the extent of variation between extremes.

FAQs

How can I use "different extents" in a sentence?

You can use "different extents" to show that things are affected or involved in something to various degrees. For example, "The economic downturn impacted various sectors to "different extents".

What are some alternatives to "different extents"?

Alternatives include "varying degrees", "different levels", or "diverse magnitudes", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "to a different extent"?

Yes, "to a different extent" is grammatically correct and expresses a similar idea but focuses on a singular item varying, whereas "different extents" implies multiple items varying.

How does the meaning of "different extents" compare to "different proportions"?

"Different extents" typically refers to the scale or degree of impact, while "different proportions" emphasizes the relative amount or ratio. Consider using "different proportions" when emphasizing ratios and amounts.