discrepancy between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discrepancy between" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a difference or a gap between two separate things, or a lack of agreement between two or more people. For example: "The discrepancy between his stated position and his actual behavior is quite noticeable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The big discrepancy between Barber and Alexander was in touchdowns.

The New York Times

However, there is a wide discrepancy between universities.

The Guardian

The discrepancy between aspiration and reality is always clear.

The New York Times

Why is there such a discrepancy between hope and reality?

The Guardian - Opinion

There's also a high price discrepancy between chemists".

The Guardian

It highlights the discrepancy between the sexes in Japanese society.

The New York Times

Yet is this discrepancy between importance and secrecy really surprising?

The Guardian - Opinion

We're trying to eliminate any discrepancy between residents and nonresidents".

The New York Times

How do you manage that discrepancy between generosity and productivity?

Harvard Business Review

Why might account for the discrepancy between the two studies?

University of California, Berkeley

However, there is discrepancy between ovulation and conception rates.

Middle East Fertility Society Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "discrepancy between", ensure you clearly define the two or more items being compared to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "discrepancy between" with concepts that cannot be distinctly counted or measured. For example, instead of saying "the discrepancy between happiness and sadness", consider rephrasing to highlight the difference in levels or experiences of these emotions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discrepancy between" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically used to introduce a noun phrase that specifies the two or more elements that are not aligned. As Ludwig AI notes, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "discrepancy between" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed prepositional phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to emphasize differences or inconsistencies between two or more items across diverse contexts such as news, science, and business. While similar phrases like ""inconsistency between"" or ""difference between"" can be used, it's crucial to define what's being compared to avoid ambiguity. A common error is using it with uncountable nouns. Ensure clarity and precision when highlighting divergences with this versatile phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inconsistency between

Replaces "discrepancy" with a synonym, focusing on the lack of uniformity or coherence.

variance between

Indicates a measurable difference or deviation, often used in statistical or scientific contexts.

difference between

A more general term highlighting that things are not the same.

gap between

Emphasizes the space or interval separating two things.

contrast between

Highlights the noticeable differences when comparing two things.

mismatch between

Suggests a lack of proper correspondence or alignment.

divergence between

Indicates a separation or moving apart from a common point.

differential between

Focuses on the amount or degree of difference.

conflict between

Highlights a clash or opposition between two things.

discordance between

Emphasizes a lack of agreement or harmony.

FAQs

How can I use "discrepancy between" in a sentence?

Use "discrepancy between" to point out a notable difference or inconsistency. For example, "There is a significant discrepancy between the promised budget and the actual spending."

What's the difference between "discrepancy between" and "difference between"?

"Discrepancy" implies a surprising or unacceptable difference, while "difference" is a more neutral term. The "difference between" price A and price B is 10 dollars, but the discrepancy is that price A was advertised at half the cost.

What are some alternatives to "discrepancy between"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "inconsistency between", "variance between", or "gap between".

Is it always negative to point out a "discrepancy between"?

While "discrepancy between" often highlights a problem, it can also be used to simply note a divergence without implying a negative judgment. The tone is usually judged by surrounding context.