heterogeneous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heterogeneous" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is composed of different or diverse elements or parts. Example: "The research team was composed of a heterogeneous group of experts from various fields, including biology, chemistry, and engineering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Fine Gael-Labour government faced the opposing ranks of Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, the United Left Alliance and heterogeneous band of independent TDs knowing that in many ways the coalition's fate is as much in the hands of a trio staying at a hotel directly behind the parliament as inside the chamber.

The Guardian

So the impact of rising temperatures on farming is heterogeneous and hard to measure.It is often assumed that the economic effects of climate change will be confined mainly to poor countries.

The Economist

They were also overthrowing several centuries of Amharic rule in Ethiopia.The military and political core of the northern newcomers, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), was Tigrayan, a small ethnic group, just 7% of the population, which could not hope to dominate the vast and heterogeneous country.

The Economist

They have seldom played the ethnic card in politics, not least because they are a heterogeneous lot united mostly by language.

The Economist

True, we also detect the emergence of a rapidly changing and heterogeneous new global middle class.

The Economist

Yet such a heterogeneous grouping would be at serious risk of infighting and collapse.Offstage, another actor is warming up.

The Economist

On the right, the PdL is the outcome of a merger between reconstructed neo-fascists and Mr Berlusconi's heterogeneous following of opportunists, ex-socialists, conservatives and the odd liberal.

The Economist

The team applied GPS to some 1650 individuals from around the world, gleaned both from highly heterogeneous populations such as Bermuda and Puerto Rico, and from communities that had deep roots in a single country, such as indigenous highland Peruvians and Sardinians.

The Economist

They were a heterogeneous group, which took time to weld into a team, but they shared one clear principle, recalls Mr Gardner: "Our absolute priority was customer service".Given its astronomical level of complaints, the company was losing customers.

The Economist

First, says MIT's Daron Acemoglu, a heterogeneous middle class makes the elite less fearful of democracy than it would otherwise be.

The Economist

The election of Mr Lugo, a former priest who leads a heterogeneous coalition named Alianza Patriótica para el Cambio (APC), has created high expectations of change, especially among the poor, which the new president will struggle to meet.In theory, Mr Lugo will have a working majority in both the Chamber of Deputies (the lower house) and the Senate (the upper house).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heterogeneous" when you want to emphasize the diversity of components within a system or group. It's particularly useful in scientific, technical, or formal contexts where precision is important.

Common error

Avoid using "heterogeneous" when "homogeneous" is more appropriate. "Heterogeneous" describes something composed of different elements, while "homogeneous" describes something uniform in composition. Double-check your understanding of the context to ensure you are using the correct term.

Linguistic Context

The word "heterogeneous" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe them as consisting of dissimilar or diverse elements. As Ludwig highlights, the term is frequently applied to describe various collections or groups, emphasizing their non-uniform composition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heterogeneous" is a versatile adjective used to describe something composed of diverse and dissimilar elements. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various domains, particularly in news, science, and formal business contexts. While synonyms like "diverse" and "varied" exist, "heterogeneous" provides a level of precision often preferred in technical or academic writing. A key consideration is to avoid confusing it with its antonym, "homogeneous". By understanding its function and appropriate contexts, writers can effectively use "heterogeneous" to convey the specific nuances of diversity and dissimilarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diverse

Focuses on variety and distinctness among elements.

varied

Emphasizes the presence of different types or forms.

mixed

Highlights the combination of different elements into one.

dissimilar

Stresses the lack of resemblance between the components.

varied assortment

More descriptive, specifying a collection of different items.

motley

Suggests a colorful and diverse collection, often with a slightly negative connotation.

eclectic

Implies a selection from a wide range of sources or styles.

non-uniform

Directly contrasts with uniformity, emphasizing the lack of consistency.

multifarious

Emphasizes great variety and diversity.

assorted

Similar to mixed but suggesting a careful selection of different items.

FAQs

How can I use "heterogeneous" in a sentence?

You can use "heterogeneous" to describe a group or collection that consists of diverse or dissimilar elements. For example, "The class was composed of a "heterogeneous" group of students from different backgrounds."

What is the difference between "heterogeneous" and "homogeneous"?

"Heterogeneous" describes something composed of different elements, while "homogeneous" describes something that is uniform or similar throughout. Essentially, they are antonyms.

Which is a better choice, "heterogeneous" or "diverse"?

Both "heterogeneous" and "diverse" can be used to describe variety, but "heterogeneous" is often used in more technical or scientific contexts, while "diverse" is generally broader and more widely applicable.

What are some synonyms for "heterogeneous"?

Synonyms for "heterogeneous" include "varied", "mixed", "dissimilar", and "eclectic". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.