diverge substantially

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "diverge substantially" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant difference or deviation between two or more things, such as opinions, ideas, or paths. Example: "The two theories diverge substantially in their approach to understanding human behavior."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

His politics during the 1840s did not diverge substantially from those of a typical country squire.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By contrast, when a polling firm takes surveys in one state only, and its results diverge substantially from the consensus, it's harder to tell what is going on.

The New York Times

In economics jargon, the UK seems to be suffering from an extreme variant of the Houthakker-Magee effect – named after two economists who discovered in 1969 that price elasticities for imports and exports could diverge substantially, giving rise to a permanent tendency towards current-account imbalance.

The Guardian - Business

It discounts the results from these firms simply because that's what it's programmed to do whenever it encounters a local polling firm whose results diverge substantially from the consensus; this method works to Mr. Obama's benefit in some states, and Mr. Romney's in others.

The New York Times

When we consider victims above the 10% value on the horizontal axis, the two curves diverge substantially.

Crime Science

The results are shown to diverge substantially from the presented material model; in particular, the Kelvin Voigt model overestimates the material damping in the high-frequency region, while the frequency-independent model underestimates it.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Some duplicates were physically segregated from the remaining array by divergent non-coding sequence; where this had occurred, these genes diverged substantially and variation was distributed discontinuously.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Nevertheless, despite the high sequence homology between grain aphid and pea aphid and its closer relationship, both the transcriptome divergences and the Ka/Ks analyses demonstrated that grain aphid and pea aphid have diverged substantially.

BMC Genomics

The company reported a week earlier than scheduled because actual earnings diverged substantially with the company's forecast.

The New York Times

It was an international success, and performances of the work often diverging substantially from the original became a Christmas tradition in many black churches and cultural centres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The draft plan suggested that hatchery fish that had "diverged substantially from the evolutionary lineage" of their wild counterparts would not be considered part of the population being considered for protection.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing trends or data sets, use "diverge substantially" to highlight key points where they differ significantly. This helps emphasize the magnitude and importance of the divergence.

Common error

Avoid using "diverge substantially" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler phrases like "differ a lot" or "vary significantly" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "diverge substantially" functions as a verb phrase, where 'diverge' acts as the main verb and 'substantially' serves as an adverb modifying the verb to intensify the degree of divergence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "diverge substantially" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly within scientific, news, and encyclopedia contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to emphasize a significant difference or deviation between entities, making it a useful tool for formal writing and academic discourse. While versatile, its formality may make it less suitable for informal settings. Alternatives such as "differ significantly" and "vary considerably" can provide similar meaning with slight variations in tone and emphasis. Understanding its primary function and appropriate usage can enhance the clarity and impact of written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differ significantly

Changes the verb to 'differ' which emphasizes the state of being unlike, while maintaining the adverbial intensifier.

vary considerably

Replaces 'diverge' with 'vary', focusing on the degree of difference, and 'substantially' with 'considerably', indicating a notable extent.

deviate markedly

Substitutes 'diverge' with 'deviate', implying a departure from a standard or norm, and 'substantially' with 'markedly', emphasizing a clear and noticeable difference.

contrast sharply

Replaces the phrase with one that emphasizes a strong opposition or dissimilarity.

differ greatly

Uses 'greatly' to indicate a large degree of difference, simplifying the phrasing.

separate distinctly

Emphasizes the act of becoming separate in a way that is clear and easily perceived.

branch off significantly

Suggests a physical or metaphorical split or branching, with 'significantly' indicating the importance of the divergence.

part ways considerably

This phrase introduces a more figurative sense of divergence, suggesting a split in opinion or direction.

show significant disparity

Focuses on the inequality or difference present between two things.

exhibit notable divergence

Uses a more formal tone, highlighting the act of diverging as something that is displayed or evident.

FAQs

How can I use "diverge substantially" in a sentence?

You can use "diverge substantially" to describe situations where two or more things differ significantly. For instance, "The two research findings "diverge substantially" in their conclusions".

What are some alternatives to "diverge substantially"?

Some alternatives include phrases like "differ significantly", "vary considerably", or "deviate markedly", which all convey a similar meaning of significant difference.

Is it better to say "diverge substantially" or "differ substantially"?

Both "diverge substantially" and "differ substantially" are grammatically correct and convey similar meanings. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis. "Diverge substantially" emphasizes the act of moving apart or becoming different, while "differ substantially" simply highlights the extent of the difference.

In what contexts is "diverge substantially" most appropriate?

"Diverge substantially" is most appropriate in formal writing, academic discussions, and scientific reports where a precise and impactful description of differences is needed. It is less suitable for informal or casual communication.