discrepancies

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discrepancies" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to differences or inconsistencies between two or more things, often in data or reports. Example: "The audit revealed several discrepancies in the financial statements that need to be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the report also uncovered many discrepancies that did not stem from these circumstances.

The Guardian

Over on the BBC, the top pollster John Curtice was looking more and more harassed at his failure to explain the discrepancies in his own predictions.

The Guardian

Many of these discrepancies have been amended in the years since civil partnerships became legal, after efforts from campaigners.

The Guardian

She also said the party would not be giving interviews about possible discrepancies until the caucus vote is certified.

The Guardian

Continually denying entry to weapons inspectors, when observers were finally permitted to visit in 1992 they found discrepancies between what North Korea had previously declared – in terms of plutonium and the disposal of nuclear waste – and what the limited inspections revealed.

The Guardian

"I can detect small discrepancies which neurotypical [not on the autistic spectrum] people can't detect so my work is done slowly but is of very high quality".

The Guardian - Business

I can think and make connections, and spot discrepancies, too.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Raids are no longer a once-every-several-years cost of doing business; the companies are now subject to constant scrutiny and checking.When the first round of Vanguard investigations started in Nebraska earlier this year, it pored over 24,000 employee records and found 4,441 discrepancies.

The Economist

These find that, when the ratio (suitably adjusted to take care of accounting discrepancies) moves far above one, equilibrium is indeed eventually restored not, however, by a surge in the replacement value of companies' assets but by a correspondingly dramatic fall in the value that Wall Street places on them.

The Economist

The bulk of these discrepancies are accounted for by the fact that the poor get worse qualifications than the well-off.Mr Brown suggests that part of the explanation is also snobbery at top universities.

The Economist

If extra officers were assigned to paperwork duty, it might mean fewer discrepancies and delays.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "discrepancies" to introduce a problem or issue, then follow up with specific details about the nature and scope of the differences.

Common error

Avoid assuming that all "discrepancies" indicate errors or wrongdoing; some differences may arise from legitimate variations in data collection or interpretation. Ensure proper investigation before drawing conclusions.

Linguistic Context

The word "discrepancies" primarily functions as a noun, typically in the plural form. It refers to instances of disagreement or inconsistency between two or more facts or pieces of information, as demonstrated in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

26%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "discrepancies" functions as a noun denoting differences or inconsistencies and is commonly used in formal contexts like news reports, business documents, and scientific analyses. Ludwig AI indicates that its primary purpose is to highlight areas needing further investigation or clarification. While grammatically correct, it’s important to consider the context to ensure accuracy and avoid misinterpretations. Alternatives include "inconsistencies", "variations", and "divergences", each offering a slightly different nuance. Common errors involve overstating the significance of "discrepancies" without proper investigation. Knowing this allows for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inconsistencies

Focuses more directly on a lack of uniformity or logical coherence.

variations

Emphasizes the presence of differences that may not necessarily imply an error or problem.

divergences

Highlights the act of moving in different directions or differing from a standard.

mismatches

Suggests a lack of proper pairing or alignment between items.

incongruities

Points out elements that are out of place or not in harmony with their surroundings.

contradictions

Emphasizes direct opposition or conflict between different elements.

anomalies

Indicates deviations from the norm or expected pattern.

deviations

Highlights the act of straying from a prescribed course or standard.

irregularities

Suggests departures from established rules or procedures.

nonconformities

Focuses on the failure to adhere to specified standards or requirements.

FAQs

How to use "discrepancies" in a sentence?

You can use "discrepancies" to point out differences between two or more things. For example: "The audit revealed several "discrepancies" in the financial statements."

What can I say instead of "discrepancies"?

You can use alternatives like "inconsistencies", "variations", or "divergences" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "discrepancies" or "discrepancy"?

"Discrepancies" is the plural form of "discrepancy". Use "discrepancy" when referring to a single instance and "discrepancies" when referring to multiple instances.

What's the difference between "discrepancies" and "errors"?

"Discrepancies" refer to differences or inconsistencies, while "errors" imply mistakes or inaccuracies. Discrepancies may not always be errors, but errors can cause discrepancies.