grave discrepancy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grave discrepancy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant or serious difference or inconsistency between two or more things, often in a formal or serious context. Example: "The audit revealed a grave discrepancy in the financial records that needs immediate attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The grave discrepancy in risk for maternal death and death from infectious diseases between Swedish-born and immigrant women from low-income countries is troublesome.

European Journal of Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

A few grave and several minor discrepancies in the chronology of his travels are due more to lapses in his memory than to intentional fabrication.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A report in the latest issue of Science magazine said the international review committee found the scientist's records contained numerous errors, corrections and discrepancies that "cast grave doubts" on the scientific validity of his conclusions.

The New York Times

However, the discrepancy in how many graves Mr. Mulk saw versus the number of people the government reported had been killed points to some of the difficulties in assessing civilian casualties.

The New York Times

In a report to Congress on Thursday, the Army found potential discrepancies between the headstones and the cemetery's paperwork involving about 64,000 grave markers.

The New York Times

The grave.

The New Yorker

How grave is too grave?

The New York Times - Magazine

They also used common graves in which they buried hundreds of bodies". These activities can be linked to the rumors of disappearances of people reflecting the discrepancy between the numbers of missing persons and the lists of prisoners.

Stanford University

But why this discrepancy?

The Guardian - Opinion

"The discrepancy is phenomenal.

The Guardian

Adani denies any discrepancy.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grave discrepancy", ensure that the context clearly establishes the items being compared and the significance of their difference.

Common error

Avoid using "grave discrepancy" for minor or trivial differences. The adjective "grave" implies a serious and consequential inconsistency, not a mere variation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave discrepancy" functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "grave" modifies the noun "discrepancy". It typically acts as a subject or object within a sentence, emphasizing a serious inconsistency. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

12%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grave discrepancy" is a correct and usable English phrase that signifies a serious and consequential inconsistency. While relatively rare in occurrence, as noted by Ludwig, it is most commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the discrepancy is truly significant and not a trivial matter. Alternatives like "serious inconsistency" or "significant contradiction" can be used depending on the specific context. The phrase maintains a formal and professional tone, making it suitable for serious discussions and reports.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious inconsistency

Emphasizes the lack of agreement or coherence with a sense of importance.

significant contradiction

Highlights a direct opposition or conflict between two things.

major divergence

Focuses on the act of moving in different directions or differing opinions.

profound difference

Stresses the depth and extent of the dissimilarity.

marked contrast

Points out a noticeable and clear distinction.

glaring disparity

Highlights an obvious and easily noticeable inequality.

substantial variation

Emphasizes the degree to which something changes or differs.

critical divergence

Implies that the difference is crucial and has significant implications.

severe deviation

Indicates a significant departure from what is expected or normal.

acute incongruity

Highlights a sharp and noticeable lack of harmony or compatibility.

FAQs

How to use "grave discrepancy" in a sentence?

Use "grave discrepancy" to highlight a significant and serious inconsistency between two or more things. For example: "The audit revealed a grave discrepancy in the financial records that needs immediate attention."

What can I say instead of "grave discrepancy"?

You can use alternatives like "serious inconsistency", "significant contradiction", or "major divergence" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "grave discrepancy" or "serious difference"?

"Grave discrepancy" and "serious difference" are both correct, but "grave discrepancy" implies a more severe and consequential inconsistency than a simple "serious difference".

What's the difference between "grave discrepancy" and "marked contrast"?

"Grave discrepancy" suggests a problematic inconsistency, while "marked contrast" simply indicates a noticeable difference without necessarily implying a problem. The seriousness distinguishes them.