fluctuate widely

USAGE SUMMARY

"fluctuate widely" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to mean a wide range of change or variation. For example: "The stock market has been known to fluctuate widely over the course of a single day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Tips also fluctuate widely.

The Guardian - Opinion

Even when the lights are on, voltages may fluctuate widely.

The New York Times

If no parity has been set quotations may fluctuate widely.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Precipitation amounts fluctuate widely from year to year.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Temperatures fluctuate widely, with great variations between subregions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Recycling plants make money by selling the recyclables, at prices that fluctuate widely.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

In these cases, body temperatures fluctuated widely each day, from 60 to 90 degrees, closely following fluctuations in the air temperature in the hole.

The New York Times - Science

It has fluctuated widely in depth and area over time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Kabul is believed to have a population of about one million, but estimates have fluctuated widely.

The New York Times

Estimates on the number of people who may be missing have fluctuated widely.

The New York Times

California's experiment exemplified why electricity markets have been so volatile: demand fluctuates widely, but production is constrained by generator capacities and electricity cannot be stored.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fluctuate widely" to describe situations where instability or unpredictability is a key characteristic. It's more descriptive than just saying something changes.

Common error

Avoid using "fluctuate widely" in highly technical or scientific contexts where more precise statistical terms might be appropriate. Terms like "standard deviation" or "variance" may offer better clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fluctuate widely" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe how a particular subject (such as prices, temperatures, or populations) changes or varies to a significant degree. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this usage across various domains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

27%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

16%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fluctuate widely" is a versatile phrase that effectively communicates substantial and irregular variation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely applicable. It finds frequent use in describing changes in data, market conditions, and environmental factors. While suitable for most contexts, technical fields might benefit from more specific terminology. Common alternatives include phrases such as "vary significantly" or "change considerably". The phrase is most commonly encountered in news, scientific publications, and encyclopedias, demonstrating its broad applicability and recognition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fluctuate substantially

Synonymous, replacing "widely" with "substantially" for similar emphasis.

vary considerably

Emphasizes a noticeable degree of variation.

vary significantly

This alternative emphasizes the degree of variation being substantial.

change considerably

This focuses on the extent of change, rather than just variation.

change dramatically

Highlights the dramatic aspect of the changes.

differ substantially

It stresses a significant difference between points or states.

shift markedly

Implies a clear and noticeable shift or alteration.

oscillate greatly

Implies a back-and-forth movement with large swings.

move erratically

It means that the movement is in a random or unpredictable fashion.

seesaw wildly

This emphasizes the unstable back and forth swings between different measures.

FAQs

How can I use "fluctuate widely" in a sentence?

You can use "fluctuate widely" to describe anything that varies or changes significantly and irregularly. For instance, "The price of Bitcoin can "fluctuate widely" based on market sentiment".

What's a good alternative to "fluctuate widely"?

Alternatives include phrases like "vary significantly", "change considerably", or "differ substantially", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "fluctuate widely"?

Yes, "fluctuate widely" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase. It clearly communicates that something varies to a great degree.

What does "fluctuate widely" imply about the thing being described?

It implies that the thing being described is subject to large and irregular changes, lacking stability or predictability. This could apply to prices, temperatures, or any other variable.