differs greatly

USAGE SUMMARY

"differs greatly" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when comparing two sets of data, people, or ideas that have starkly opposing characteristics. For example, "The way in which young and old generations communicate differs greatly."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, the number of IMMs in different organisms differs greatly.

BMC Plant Biology

The acceleration amplification differs greatly under different seismic motions.

Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

The morphology of precipitates differs greatly under different conditions.

Construction and Building Materials

Its conservation status differs greatly across different regions of its range.

Evolutionary Applications

However, daily income of taxi drivers differs greatly (the average income difference is ¥237).

European Transport Research Review

GPC differs greatly among barley genotypes and is also variable across different environments.

BMC Plant Biology

The larva differs greatly from the adult.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The online definition of a series differs greatly from television.

The New York Times

The BP disaster differs greatly from the Valdez.

The New York Times

Each RCP differs greatly in the rate of forcing and emissions.

The Guardian

But the race this year differs greatly from the contests he won in 1994 and 1998.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "differs greatly", ensure that the context clearly establishes the two or more items being compared. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "differs greatly" without specifying what is being compared. For instance, instead of saying "The situation differs greatly", specify "The situation in 2020 differs greatly from the situation in 2010".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differs greatly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb and emphasizing the degree of difference. It indicates a substantial level of dissimilarity between two or more entities. Ludwig AI explains that it is correct to compare data, people or ideas with opposing characteristics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

38%

Encyclopedias

11%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "differs greatly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that emphasizes a significant difference between compared entities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for comparing starkly opposing characteristics. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and encyclopedia sources, this phrase maintains a neutral to formal register. When employing "differs greatly", clarity in specifying the comparison is essential. Related phrases like "varies significantly" and "diverges considerably" offer nuanced alternatives, depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differs substantially

Similar to "differs greatly", this emphasizes a significant degree of difference in terms of substance or essence.

differs markedly

Synonymous with "differs greatly", this simply highlights that the difference is readily apparent or noticeable.

varies significantly

This phrase emphasizes the range of variation, highlighting that the differences are notable and important.

varies widely

This emphasizes the extensive range of variation, suggesting a broad spectrum of differences.

diverges considerably

This suggests a separation or deviation from a common point or standard, emphasizing the extent of this divergence.

departs significantly

This indicates a notable deviation from a norm or expectation, highlighting the magnitude of the departure.

contrasts sharply

This highlights the striking differences between two things, suggesting a clear and distinct opposition.

is distinctly different

This emphasizes the clear and unambiguous nature of the differences.

shows marked differences

This emphasizes the clear and easily noticeable differences between two things.

exhibits significant variation

Highlights the presence of considerable variation or diversity.

FAQs

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

Use "differs greatly" to highlight significant differences between two or more subjects. For example, "The climate in the north differs greatly from the climate in the south".

What phrases can I use instead of "differs greatly"?

You can use alternatives like "varies significantly", "diverges considerably", or "differs substantially" to express a similar meaning.

Is it better to use "differs greatly" or "differs significantly"?

Both "differs greatly" and "differs significantly" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and style of writing.

In what contexts is "differs greatly" most appropriate?

"Differs greatly" is appropriate in various contexts, including scientific research, news reports, and general writing, where a substantial difference needs to be emphasized.