differentially

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "differentially" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to compare something in different ways or to refer to something that differs in degree or kind. For example, "The two groups of students were treated differentially, with one set of students receiving more support and resources than the other."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Applied to conservation, individual species are differentially valued and assessed relative to differential opportunity costs.

SEP

The researchers wanted to see how various sexual positions differentially taxed the spine, so people would know what to avoid.They used eight infra-red motion-capture cameras to track the movements of reflective dots placed strategically on the participants' bodies.

The Economist

Indeed the authors find that economic activity which they measure by looking at the intensity of night-time lights in each region does differentially increase in the south in years of higher oil prices.Why does the south benefit more than the north?

The Economist

In that case, you might expect the state legislators to be differentially prudent about their finances, and the voters to be equally sceptical about both parties.

The Economist

But in future, says Prashant Yadav of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, firms must "price differentially not between OECD and developing-country markets, but within each developing-country market".

The Economist

You might therefore hypothesise that Maryland and Massachusetts are states that have historically had a high baseline with regard to both education and income, meaning that the parents sending their kids to public schools there are, as a group, differentially inclined to prioritise education and to support it by paying high taxes, making sure the kids do their homework, and so on.

The Economist

"The brain activity in this area of cortex is able to differentially represent all the speech sounds in American English," says Mitchell Steinschneider of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Yeshiva University, New York, who published a similar study using epilepsy patients three years ago.

The Economist

Flood-resistant rice "differentially benefits [India's] scheduled castes and tribes", a recent study of one of the early field trials concludes.

The Economist

The problems of integration were made much more complex by the fact that the territories involved were differentially developed.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There are pairs of photoreceptors with opposing microvillar orientations in the downward-pointing region of the eye, and when the photoreceptors are differentially stimulated by the polarized light from a reflecting surface, the insect makes a dive.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Nevertheless, the effective extension of common schooling through an "orientation stage" between elementary and secondary schooling, the attempt to develop each level so that it better served more youth even if differentially and the functional integration of school branches through curriculum reform and transfer possibilities all pointed to a comprehensiveness within the system.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "differentially", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being compared and the specific manner in which it differs. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "differentially" when simply stating a difference exists. The term implies a specific manner or degree of variation, not just a binary distinction. Use "differently" for simple distinctions.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "differentially" modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to specify how something is done or experienced in a distinct or varying manner. This is supported by Ludwig, which showcases numerous examples where "differentially" clarifies the nature of an action or state.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "differentially" is a versatile adverb used to express distinctions in manner or degree. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, particularly in scientific, news, and encyclopedia contexts. While substitutable with alternatives like "variously" or "unequally", the choice depends on the desired emphasis. When writing, ensure clarity in specifying the compared elements. By considering these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "differentially" into your vocabulary to add precision and nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

variously

Indicates diversity in manner or degree, suggesting different approaches or outcomes.

unequally

Emphasizes a lack of equality in treatment or distribution.

distinctly

Highlights clear and easily recognizable differences.

separately

Focuses on the individual and non-overlapping nature of actions or entities.

uniquely

Highlights the specific, particular, or exclusive nature of something.

disparately

Suggests a significant difference or inequality.

in varying degrees

Specifies that something exists or happens across a scale.

to different extents

Highlights the differing measures or scales to which something applies.

in diverse manners

Emphasizes the variety of ways in which something is done.

with distinctions

Highlights the inclusion of differences or discriminations.

FAQs

How can I use "differentially" in a sentence?

"Differentially" is used to describe something that is treated or behaves in a distinct manner compared to something else. For example, "The students were assessed "differentially" based on their prior experience".

What is a good substitute for "differentially"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "variously", "unequally", or "distinctly". The best choice depends on the specific shade of meaning you want to convey.

Is it better to use "differentially" or "differently"?

"Differently" implies a simple difference, while "differentially" implies a specific manner or degree of difference. Use "differentially" when the manner of difference is important. If you want to indicate that something it treated in a distinct manner compared to something else, for example, "The students were assessed "differentially" based on their prior experience".

What does "differentially" mean?

"Differentially" means in a way that shows or involves differences. It emphasizes that something is treated or behaves in a distinct manner when compared to something else.