likely to vary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "likely to vary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that is expected to change or differ under certain conditions. Example: "The results of the experiment are likely to vary depending on the temperature and humidity levels."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People's views are likely to vary by gender, age, and location, at least.

The Guardian

The style of work expected by different subjects is also likely to vary.

The Guardian

Since sea levels vary around the world, sea-level rises are also likely to vary.

The New York Times - Magazine

Requirements are likely to vary, so it's best to check university websites.

The Guardian

The type of contract is likely to vary, depending on the building.

The New York Times

Cinnamon is the thing in your spice rack most likely to vary in quality from supplier to supplier.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He added: "Nonetheless, economic conditions remain challenging, and demand for lending is likely to vary through the year.

The Guardian - Business

Now that films are being watched on multiple mediums, the message is likely to vary between each one.

The Guardian - Film

Results are likely to vary from one company to another because pension investment strategies can vary greatly.

The New York Times

At the lower estimate, energy costs are only likely to vary by around £51 per household.

The Guardian

In practice, the accuracy is likely to vary due to environmental conditions, materials and operator skills.

Precision Engineering

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "likely to vary", clearly specify the factors that influence the variation. For example, "The results are likely to vary depending on temperature and humidity."

Common error

Don't use "likely to vary" without indicating what it varies in relation to. Unclear: "The data is likely to vary." Clearer: "The data is likely to vary by region."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "likely to vary" functions as a descriptor, indicating a probability of change or difference. As Ludwig AI confirms, the usage is correct and appears in sentences like "Results are likely to vary from one company to another because pension investment strategies can vary greatly."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

23%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "likely to vary" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate an expected difference or change, often dependent on specific circumstances. As verified by Ludwig AI, it appears commonly in scientific, news, and business contexts. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to specify the factors causing the variation. Alternatives include "apt to differ" and "prone to change". The phrase serves to prepare an audience for the possibility of non-uniformity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apt to differ

Replaces "likely" with "apt", indicating a natural tendency to vary.

subject to fluctuation

Uses "subject to" and "fluctuation" to emphasize the potential for irregular variations.

prone to change

Emphasizes the tendency to undergo alterations.

expected to fluctuate

Highlights an anticipation of irregular variations.

liable to deviate

Uses "liable" and "deviate" to suggest a tendency to stray from a norm or expected path.

inclined to diverge

Replaces "likely" with "inclined" and "vary" with "diverge", suggesting a tendency to move in different directions.

with a tendency to fluctuate

Specifies "tendency" emphasizing potential for variations.

may demonstrate variability

Shifts the focus to the demonstration of variability, implying observed differences.

can exhibit differences

Highlights capability of presenting dissimilarity.

susceptible to alterations

Highlights how vulnerable something is to modification.

FAQs

How can I use "likely to vary" in a sentence?

Use "likely to vary" to indicate that something is expected to change or differ based on certain conditions or factors. For instance, "The cost of living is "expected to vary" from city to city".

What are some alternatives to "likely to vary"?

You can use alternatives such as "apt to differ", "subject to fluctuation", or "prone to change" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "likely to vary" and "expected to vary"?

"Likely to vary" suggests a higher probability of variation based on current understanding, while ""expected to vary"" implies that variation is anticipated based on predictions or past trends.

Is it better to use "likely to vary" or "likely to differ"?

Both are grammatically correct. "Likely to vary" emphasizes the range of changes, while "likely to differ" highlights the distinctions between specific instances or cases. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.