differs significantly from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "differs significantly from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that two things are not the same. For example, "The test results from the two groups differed significantly from each other."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It differs significantly from a House bill.

The New York Times

To put this more precisely, China's economic structure differs significantly from most of the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

Broza's album differs significantly from Earle's — and, for that matter, from any of the other tributes.

The New Yorker

The current downturn differs significantly from nearly all of those since World War II.

The New York Times

The new proposal differs significantly from Ms. Reding's previous draft.

The New York Times

The fund category's movement differs significantly from that of the Standard & Poor's 500 index, according to Morningstar.

The New York Times

Social insurance, however, differs significantly from other forms of public aid.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the A(H5N1) epidemic in Southeast Asia, health workers are dealing with a situation that differs significantly from outbreaks of other strains of avian influenza.

The New York Times

For all the expressions of common concerns, the Russian view of the nuclear threat differs significantly from the American view, a point that Mr. Ivanov underscored.

The New York Times

The plan differs significantly from the one approved on Thursday by the Senate Finance Committee and scheduled for a full Senate vote next week.

The New York Times

Though also the work of Kevin Sullivan, who created this handsomely produced Canadian series, "The Continuing Story" differs significantly from the first two parts.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "differs significantly from", ensure that the context clearly specifies both items being compared to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The new model's fuel efficiency differs significantly from the previous version."

Common error

Avoid using "differs significantly" without specifying what the subject differs from. For example, instead of saying "The data differs significantly", specify "The data differs significantly from the control group."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "differs significantly from" functions as a comparative expression, indicating a notable distinction between two or more subjects. It highlights that the differences are not minor but substantial enough to be noteworthy. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

34%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "differs significantly from" is a versatile expression used to highlight substantial distinctions between subjects. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across diverse fields. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, this phrase is crucial for clear communication in formal settings. When using "differs significantly from", be sure to specify the subjects being compared and avoid ambiguous wording to maintain clarity and precision in your writing. The related phrases offer varied ways to express differences, enriching your vocabulary and refining your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

varies considerably from

Emphasizes the extent of variation between two things.

diverges substantially from

Highlights a more pronounced departure or deviation.

contrasts sharply with

Focuses on the points of opposition or dissimilarity.

departs markedly from

Indicates a clear and noticeable divergence from a standard or expectation.

is notably distinct from

Stresses the uniqueness and clear separation between items.

shows a major divergence from

Highlights that a big deviation exists.

exhibits a considerable difference from

Formal way to indicate that a considerable difference exists.

bears little resemblance to

Suggests minimal similarity between two things.

stands in stark contrast to

Emphasizes a very strong difference, often in opposing terms.

is fundamentally different from

Suggests a difference in the most basic and important aspects.

FAQs

How can I use "differs significantly from" in a sentence?

Use "differs significantly from" to highlight a notable difference between two subjects. For instance, "The experimental results "differ significantly from" the predicted outcomes."

What phrases are similar to "differs significantly from"?

Alternatives include "varies considerably from", "diverges substantially from", or "contrasts sharply with", all indicating a noticeable distinction.

Is it better to say "differs significantly from" or "is slightly different from"?

The choice depends on the degree of difference. "Differs significantly from" implies a major distinction, whereas "is slightly different from" suggests a minor variation.

What's the difference between "differs significantly from" and "is similar to"?

"Differs significantly from" indicates dissimilarity, while "is similar to" implies resemblance or likeness. They are opposite in meaning.