discrepancy in numbers

USAGE SUMMARY

"discrepancy in numbers" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe a situation where two numbers which should have been the same are different. For example, "When I checked the sales figures, there was a discrepancy in numbers between the two different reports."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

There is an enormous discrepancy in numbers, particularly the figures relating to "besieged" areas.

The Guardian

Israel says that about 400 Gazans die of natural causes every month, possibly accounting for the discrepancy in numbers.

The New York Times

The discrepancy in numbers underlined the messages being conveyed by each side.

The New York Times

Carol Schwartz of the Women's Leadership Institute Australia, who has written a guide to gender representation in the Australia Day honours, said of this year's gender split: "We are consistently seeing the discrepancy in numbers between male awardees and female awardees of Australian honours.

The Guardian

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the discrepancy in numbers.

Huffington Post

Sandoval explained that the discrepancy in numbers is due to the methodology used to determine whether or not the journalist´s profession was confirmed to have been the principal motive for their assassination.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

The discrepancy in number of polymorphic features between the CP&RT and Nipponbare&93-11 Nipponbare&93-11because of expectedatasetsnt diversity in their genomay

Plosone

For any discrepancy in number of outbreak cases, we deferred to the CDC reports to ensure consistency in the period of data collection across all outbreaks included in the review.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

The relative contribution of each of the three factors to the discrepancy in number of hospitalisation days per person can be calculated as follows: 4 where RCi is the relative contribution of the i-th factor to the difference.

BMJ Open

Discrepancies in numbers of sampling dates and sites made it difficult to directly compare riparian-TN relationships with those of other parameters.

Environmental Management

5 Several types of selective outcome reporting for trials of off-label use of gabapentin have also been described, including discrepancies in numbers of patients randomized, definitions of primary outcomes, significance of reported outcomes, additions and deletions of outcomes, and differences in analyses.

British Medical Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting a "discrepancy in numbers", always specify the source of each number and the potential reasons for the difference. This adds clarity and context to your analysis.

Common error

Avoid simply stating there's a "discrepancy in numbers" without explaining what numbers you are comparing and why the difference matters. Lack of context makes the observation less meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discrepancy in numbers" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies and labels a situation where numerical values differ unexpectedly. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "discrepancy in numbers" effectively points out inconsistencies between numerical data across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in both formal and informal settings. While mainly found in scientific, news, and business-related articles, providing context and clear explanations when reporting a "discrepancy in numbers" is important. Alternatives like "numerical difference" or "statistical variation" can be considered depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

numerical disparity

Uses a more formal term for difference or inequality in numbers.

inconsistent figures

Emphasizes the lack of consistency in the reported numbers.

numerical difference

Focuses on the difference itself, rather than the inconsistency.

varying counts

Highlights the differences in counting or enumeration.

statistical variation

Highlights the statistical aspect of the difference.

divergence in data

Focuses on how the data sets differ or move apart.

mismatch in statistics

Emphasizes the disagreement or incompatibility within statistical data.

unequal quantities

Highlights the inequality in the amounts or numbers.

fluctuation in values

Focuses on the changing nature of the numerical values.

differential in amounts

Highlights the difference in the total amounts or sums.

FAQs

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

You can use "discrepancy in numbers" to point out a difference between two or more figures. For example, "There was a noticeable discrepancy in numbers between the sales report and the inventory count."

What's a good alternative to "discrepancy in numbers"?

Alternatives include "numerical difference", "statistical variation", or "numerical disparity", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "discrepancy in numbers"?

Use "discrepancy in numbers" when you want to highlight an inconsistency or difference between numerical values that are expected to be the same or similar.

What does "discrepancy in numbers" imply?

It implies that there is an error, inconsistency, or a significant difference that requires further investigation or explanation. It suggests that the numbers do not align as expected.