major discrepancy

USAGE SUMMARY

"major discrepancy" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a significant difference between two or more things. For example: "The major discrepancy between the two accounts of the incident made it difficult to determine what had actually happened."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And here there is a pretty major discrepancy.

The Guardian - Film

and it is incredibly isolating to find a major discrepancy between the two.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The major discrepancy between the experimental and simulated results occurred at locations with a change in substrate geometry.

Surface and Coatings Technology

A major discrepancy associated with BC is its high production cost, usually much higher than the plant cellulose.

International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

On Sunday night, they held the ball for 57 percent of the match, a major discrepancy between two teams.

The New York Times - Sports

It was one that's quite close to our current climate, but with one major discrepancy — seas at the time were 20 to 30 feet higher.

The Washington Post

Barring some major discrepancy between the attorney general's summary of Mueller's report and the report itself, it's time to say: Case closed.

The New York Times

Consistent with previous reports, there is a major discrepancy between the actual population within the US and the representation of that population on TV.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

One major discrepancy between the two studies was the cancer risk associated with eating saturated fat from foods other than red meat.

The New York Times

But the controversial body of clerics and jurists has changed its mind, nullifying her votes even though election officials endorsed the results in Isfahan and found no major discrepancy in the counting process.

The Guardian

Trump's proposal would open up a major discrepancy between the rate for individual taxpayers (35percentt in the new document) and the rate for corporations and businesses (the document calls for 15percentt).

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "major discrepancy", ensure you clearly identify the items being compared and the specific aspect in which they differ to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid simply stating there's a "major discrepancy" without providing supporting details or quantifying the difference. Instead, specify the magnitude or impact of the discrepancy to strengthen your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "major discrepancy" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies a significant inconsistency or difference. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

19%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "major discrepancy" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a significant difference or inconsistency. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various fields, particularly in science and news media. When employing this phrase, provide specific details to quantify or explain the nature of the discrepancy. Alternatives like ""significant inconsistency"" or ""substantial difference"" can be used for variety, though "major discrepancy" remains a clear and effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant inconsistency

Emphasizes the lack of agreement or harmony between two or more things.

substantial difference

Highlights the considerable degree to which two or more things diverge.

marked variation

Draws attention to a noticeable change or deviation.

considerable divergence

Indicates a significant departure or separation.

glaring contradiction

Stresses the obvious and irreconcilable nature of the conflict.

notable disparity

Highlights the inequality or difference that is worth paying attention to.

pronounced gap

Indicates a clear and easily observable difference.

evident mismatch

Emphasizes the lack of correspondence or compatibility.

striking contrast

Highlights the dramatic difference between two things.

obvious conflict

Points out the clear opposition or disagreement.

FAQs

How can I use "major discrepancy" in a sentence?

You can use "major discrepancy" to highlight a significant difference between two or more things. For example, "There was a major discrepancy between the reported income and the actual tax returns."

What are some alternatives to "major discrepancy"?

Alternatives include "significant inconsistency", "substantial difference", or "glaring contradiction", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "major discrepancy" or "minor discrepancy"?

The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference you are describing. Use "major discrepancy" when the difference is substantial and significant, and "minor discrepancy" when the difference is small and less important.

What's the difference between "major discrepancy" and "major disagreement"?

"Major discrepancy" typically refers to a difference between facts or figures, while "major disagreement" refers to a difference in opinion or perspective.