differs in subtle ways

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "differs in subtle ways" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing variations or distinctions between two or more things that are not immediately obvious. Example: "While both paintings are from the same artist, they differ in subtle ways that reveal the evolution of their style."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

First, the brain anatomy of dyslexics differs in subtle ways from that of non-dyslexics.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Differences in these weights suggest that individuals in different groups differ in subtle ways that cannot be fully captured in a single composite measure [Figure 3].

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

But even so, the types of workers more likely to take part might somehow differ in subtle ways from those who don't.

The New York Times

Each of these assemblies has an independently annotated set of loci representing gene models/transcription units anchored along pseudomolecules that differ in subtle ways from each other.

Rice

The two main musical styles of Peking opera, Xipi and Erhuang, originally differed in subtle ways.

Wikipedia

More than any other dramatist, he creates characters that are of similar general types, and yet, as in real life, differ in subtle ways: Shakespear was scarcely more remarkable for the force and marked contrasts of his characters than for the truth and subtlety with which he has distinguished those which approached the nearest to each other.

Wikipedia

They used functional magnetic resonance imaging machines to scan the brains of 45 college-age adults (23 with dyslexia, 22 without) while they distinguished among a variety of sounds, some of which differed in subtle ways, then built a sophisticated correlational map.

Los Angeles Times

We show that, while all the HapMap samples do indeed show the general affinities expected from their ancestral origins, the paternal geographical ancestry of the CEU is slightly different from the 'northern and western Europe' suggested by the HapMap, and both the CHB and CEU differ in subtle ways from samples collected using more standard criteria.

Plosone

Eleven of these enzymes, classes I, IIa, IIb and IV, have a very similar catalytic site, but differ in subtle ways in their sensitivities to HDACi (Additional file 1: Table S1) [ 6].

Epigenetics and Chromatin

Marsupials differ from other mammals in subtle ways especially in their mode of reproduction [ 27].

BMC Genomics

The consequence of this description is that the intensities differ from the conventional model in subtle ways, which improves the agreement between the calculated and measured values.

Acta Crystallographica Section A: Foundations and Advances

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "differs in subtle ways", ensure the context provides enough information for the reader to understand the nature of these subtle differences, even if they are not explicitly detailed.

Common error

Avoid using "differs in subtle ways" when the differences are actually quite significant. This can mislead the reader and diminish the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differs in subtle ways" functions as a descriptive element, used to qualify the nature of the difference between two or more entities. It indicates that the variation is not immediately obvious, requiring closer examination. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "differs in subtle ways" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote distinctions that are not immediately apparent. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and media contexts, it serves to highlight nuanced variations requiring closer examination. When employing this phrase, writers should ensure the context sufficiently elucidates the nature of these subtle differences without overstating their significance. Alternative phrases such as "varies slightly" or "is subtly different" may be used to achieve a similar effect, depending on the specific nuance one wishes to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is subtly different

Reorders the phrase while keeping the core meaning.

differs in delicate nuances

Highlights that differences are based on subtle aspects.

varies slightly

Emphasizes a small degree of variation.

presents nuanced distinctions

Highlights the refined nature of the differences.

differs minutely

Highlights the extremely small nature of the differences.

shows slight variations

Emphasizes the presence of small changes.

differs marginally

Suggests that the differences are at the margin and not substantial.

exhibits faint differences

Points out that the differences are not immediately obvious.

differs barely

Focuses on the narrowness of the distinction.

possesses delicate variations

Implies that the variations are fragile or easily missed.

FAQs

How can I use "differs in subtle ways" in a sentence?

You can use "differs in subtle ways" to indicate that there are slight distinctions between two or more things. For example, "While both models appear similar, they differs in subtle ways that affect performance."

What are some alternatives to "differs in subtle ways"?

You can use alternatives like "varies slightly", "is subtly different", or "shows slight variations" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "differs in subtle ways" in formal writing?

Yes, "differs in subtle ways" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and concise way to describe minor distinctions, suitable for academic, scientific, and professional contexts.

What's the difference between "differs in subtle ways" and "differs significantly"?

"Differs in subtle ways" indicates minor, often not immediately apparent, distinctions. "Differs significantly" suggests major, easily noticeable differences. The choice depends on the magnitude of the differences you're describing.