disparity

USAGE SUMMARY

"disparity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a difference in status, wealth, or opportunity between two or more people or groups. For example: "There is a great disparity between the incomes of the wealthiest citizens and the poorest citizens in this country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 12.23pm BST12 23 Richard Gibson reports from Warwickshire v Durham Left field as it its, Warwickshire have set a new record for the biggest disparity between first and second innings scores in their first-class history.

The Guardian - Sport

Any disparity is due not to their shortcomings in labor markets but rather to their lack of a high initial endowment.

The Guardian - Money

He said: "The biggest danger to the pub industry is the continuing tax disparity between supermarkets and pubs … There is a growing realisation among politicians, the media and the public that pubs are overtaxed".

The Guardian - Business

All four of the movement's co-founders stand out in a society with acute gender disparity.

The Guardian

Is there not a disparity between the commitment of the World Bank president, Jim Kim, to raise the incomes of the bottom 40% of the world's population with his organisation's Doing Business report, an annual study that ranks countries by the progress they are making in cutting corporate taxes, keeping minimum wages at low levels and ensuring that paid holidays and sick pay are not excessive?

The Guardian - Business

The disparity is even more exaggerated among the 30 to 45 demographic, with 81% favoring Jordan to 11% for LeBron.

The Guardian - Sport

There are a couple of factors that help to explain the disparity between the UK's pre- and post-crisis productivity performance.

The Guardian - Business

In summer blockbuster season, the disparity can be even more pronounced: The Inbetweeners 2 opened at the top with a gross 72 times the 10th-placed film that weekend.

The Guardian - Film

Brayshaw unleashed 9 bone-jarring tackles, as ample an indication as any of the disparity in hunger between the two sides.

The Guardian - Sport

Related: 'Stop punishing the poor': what social care wants from the government This disparity in treatment is not only unfair, it is also unwise: a textbook case of robbing Peter to pay Paul.

The Guardian

A New York-based group called Fast Food Forward, wrote an open letter to McDonald's, Wendy's, Burger King, Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, Domino's and Papa John's, pointing out the disparity between the profits made by fast-food companies and the wages they pay.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disparity", be specific about what is being compared. Clarity enhances the impact and understanding of the described inequality.

Common error

Avoid using "disparity" without clearly defining the groups or elements being compared. Vague comparisons can weaken your argument and confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The word "disparity" functions primarily as a noun. It denotes a state of inequality or difference, often used to highlight a significant contrast between two or more things. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

32%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disparity" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun to denote inequality or difference. Ludwig AI confirms this, noting its suitability for describing contrasts in status, wealth, or opportunity. Its usage spans across various contexts, primarily in news, business, and scientific domains. When employing "disparity", ensure clarity in your comparisons to effectively convey the intended message. Alternatives include "inequality", "imbalance", and "divergence".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inequality

Focuses specifically on unfair differences in status, rights, or opportunities.

imbalance

Highlights a lack of equilibrium or proportion between different elements.

divergence

Emphasizes the act of moving in different directions or deviating from a common point.

difference

A general term for any point or way in which people or things are dissimilar.

variance

Indicates a degree of deviation or difference within a set of data or observations.

incongruity

Highlights a lack of harmony or compatibility; something out of place.

discrepancy

Points to an inconsistency or contradiction, often in factual details.

gap

Suggests a space or interval between two things, often implying a deficiency.

contrast

Highlights striking differences when things are compared.

distinction

Emphasizes clear differences that set things or people apart.

FAQs

How can I use "disparity" in a sentence?

You can use "disparity" to describe differences in various contexts. For instance, "There is a significant disparity in wealth distribution" or "The study highlighted the disparity in educational opportunities".

What are some synonyms for "disparity"?

Alternatives to "disparity" include "inequality", "imbalance", "divergence", and "difference", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a great disparity between"?

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable. You can also use "significant disparity", "large disparity", or "stark disparity" to emphasize the extent of the difference.

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

"Disparity" generally refers to a difference or inequality, while "discrepancy" points to an inconsistency or contradiction. A "discrepancy" might exist in data, whereas a "disparity" exists between groups.