may vary on

USAGE SUMMARY

"may vary on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing something that may have different outcomes or results depending on certain conditions or factors. For example: "The amount of rainfall each month may vary on the season."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

And I didn't fight back against the statement, even though she'd just insulted the two identities I hold closest to myself: being funny (though your mileage may vary on that one), and being a feminist.

Independent

To facilitate all this, ShortForm created a widget that you can embed on your site, blog, or if you want, to just print out and look at, though results may vary on that one.

TechCrunch

Developers should focus on creating quality products without business considerations — your mileage may vary on that one, but it's a formula that he ultimately feels led to a better product.

TechCrunch

Answers may vary on that front, but one thing is clear: "Complicit" is an adjective meaning "helping to commit a crime or do wrong in some way".

Huffington Post

"Though they may vary on the details, all countries are grappling with the same concerns.

The Guardian

This review was conducted using a pre-release version of Nougat running on various Google Nexus and Pixel devices, as such some small things may vary on the production version of Nougat released today.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

The information requested on the application may vary depending on the county you live in.

WikiHow

(Results may vary depending on local conditions: "No wind or life on the moon," he noted).

The New Yorker

The results may vary depending on which modem and modem driver are installed on your computer.

The New York Times - Tech

(Prices may vary, depending on the event).

The New York Times

This process may vary depending on your software.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "may vary on", clearly specify the factors influencing the variation to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "Results may vary on usage", specify "Results may vary on the type of usage and the user's experience level."

Common error

A common mistake is using "may vary on" without explicitly stating the factors causing the variance. Always ensure the influencing factors are clearly identified to maintain clarity and avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may vary on" functions as a qualifier, indicating that a particular aspect or outcome is subject to change or differences based on specific conditions. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, showing its use in diverse contexts, from scientific studies to general observations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may vary on" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to indicate that something is subject to change or differences depending on specific conditions. As indicated by Ludwig, it's important to explicitly state the influencing factors to maintain clarity. While it appears less frequently than some alternatives, its versatility makes it suitable for various contexts, particularly science, news, and general information. It is crucial to remember to specify what exactly the variance depends on.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may depend on

Replaces "vary" with "depend", focusing on the conditional aspect.

may be contingent on

Uses "contingent" to highlight the dependence on certain conditions.

is subject to variation in

Emphasizes the susceptibility to change within a specific area.

is liable to differ based on

Highlights the possibility of divergence depending on specific circumstances.

can fluctuate according to

Focuses on the fluctuating nature influenced by external factors.

may be affected by

Highlights the influence of external factors on the variance.

may be conditional upon

Highlights that the variance is conditional on the factor.

is sensitive to changes in

Emphasizes the sensitivity of the variance to changes.

may be responsive to

Highlights the responsiveness of the variance to external factors.

is subject to change depending on

Highlights the phrase is subject to change.

FAQs

How can I use "may vary on" in a sentence?

Use "may vary on" to indicate that something is subject to change or differences depending on specific conditions. For example, "The waiting time "may vary on" the country you are adopting from."

What's the difference between "may vary on" and "may depend on"?

"May vary on" suggests a range of possibilities, while "may depend on" emphasizes a conditional relationship. While they are similar, "may depend on" focuses more on direct causation. For example, "Success "may depend on" hard work."

What are some alternatives to "may vary on"?

Alternatives include phrases like "is subject to change", "may be affected by", or "can fluctuate according to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "may vary on" in formal writing?

Yes, "may vary on" is acceptable in formal writing, especially when discussing factors that can influence outcomes or results. Ensure clarity by specifying the influencing factors.