gross disparity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gross disparity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant and unacceptable difference between two or more things, often in contexts such as economics, social issues, or statistics. Example: "The report highlighted the gross disparity in income levels between different regions of the country."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

That should eliminate the gross disparity between the official and black-market rates, which stifled foreign investment and encouraged corruption.

The New Yorker

He says there is a "gross disparity" between top pension pots and what most retired people get.

Independent

Her partners in the crimes, two young men who fired the guns, received sentences of life without parole in what her lawyers call a "gross disparity" in punishment.

The New York Times

"Sometimes there is a gross disparity between what one spouse brings to the marriage compared to the other," he said, adding that such a disparity is generally not a problem when times are good.

The New York Times

Here we speak of the injustice that no social movement has arisen to eradicate: the gross disparity between the paychecks of professionally good-looking people belonging to one sex versus the paychecks of those belonging to the other.

The New York Times - Style

Attorney General Michael Mukasey tried to scare the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday into blocking a responsible plan by the United States Sentencing Commission to address the gross disparity in penalties for possession or sale of crack cocaine and those for powder cocaine offenses.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

In fact they have led to gross disparities.

The New York Times

Gov. George Pataki, to his credit, wants to correct some of the gross disparities between sentences for drug offenses and sentences for other nonviolent crimes.

The New York Times

Because most of these situations were characterized by gross disparities of power, with the Jews the weaker party, prudential considerations were dominant.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The gross disparities among African-American, Hispanic and white youths in the juvenile justice system nationally are even worse in New York ("Racial Disparities Seen as Pervasive in Juvenile Justice," front page, April 26).

The New York Times

However, gross disparities continue to dominate the field (I encourage you to take a quick skim of the pie charts on VIDA's website that show The Count at different journals).

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gross disparity", ensure you provide context about what is being compared to highlight the scale and nature of the difference. For example, "the gross disparity in wealth distribution..."

Common error

Avoid using "gross disparity" when the difference is only marginal or slight. The term implies a significant and often unacceptable level of difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gross disparity" functions as a noun phrase, where "gross" modifies the noun "disparity". It's used to describe the extent or degree of difference between two or more things, emphasizing its significant and often unacceptable nature. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gross disparity" is a valid and useful expression in English, primarily used to highlight significant and often unacceptable differences. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When employing this phrase, ensure the difference you're describing is genuinely substantial and carries a negative connotation of unfairness. Alternatives like "significant imbalance" or "glaring inequality" may be suitable depending on the specific shade of meaning you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant imbalance

Replaces "gross disparity" with a focus on the imbalance being substantial.

glaring inequality

Emphasizes the obvious and unacceptable nature of the inequality.

pronounced difference

Highlights the distinct contrast between the items being compared.

extreme divergence

Indicates a radical departure or split.

wide gap

Focuses on the extent of the difference.

substantial variation

Highlights the variation is of noticeable degree.

marked contrast

Emphasizes the distinct opposition between two things.

noticeable asymmetry

Highlights the asymmetry and make it more observable.

striking disproportion

Emphasizes that proportionality is severely missing.

significant discrepancy

Highlights that a detail lacks congruence with established fact or understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "gross disparity" in a sentence?

You can use "gross disparity" to highlight a significant and unacceptable difference between two things. For example: "There is a "gross disparity" between the rich and the poor in this country."

What are some alternatives to "gross disparity"?

Alternatives include "significant imbalance", "glaring inequality", or "pronounced difference", depending on the specific context.

Is "gross disparity" formal or informal?

"Gross disparity" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal term, suitable for use in news articles, academic papers, and professional reports.

What kind of difference does "gross disparity" imply?

"Gross disparity" implies a difference that is not only large but also unfair, unacceptable, or unjust. The word "gross" intensifies the negative connotation of the "disparity".