price vary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "price vary" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form should be "prices vary" to indicate that multiple prices change or differ. Example: "In this market, prices vary significantly depending on the season."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Estimates for an effective carbon price vary enormously.

The Guardian

Estimates of the going price vary widely, but security officials say the weapons can be purchased for $50,000 to $250,000.

The New York Times

One day the market might want blondes, the next brunettes, and those blondes and brunettes will see their price vary accordingly.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The premise is that the book is the book is the book, even if the cover, the ISBN and the price vary.

The Guardian - Books

(Transfer taxes, based on the sales price, vary by state; the combined New York State and city rate is 1.825 percent).

The New York Times

Estimates of how much the new program will add to a trans-Atlantic ticket price vary widely, from a few dollars to around $60, in part because the cost depends on how well a particular airline improves its environmental performance.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

The price varies on a White Turnip.

WikiHow

The price varies based on location.

WikiHow

Prices vary.

The New York Times - Arts

Prices vary; liwinterfest.com.

The New York Times

Those prices vary widely.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the plural form "prices vary" to ensure grammatical correctness when discussing the fluctuation or difference in prices. For example: "Ticket prices vary by show."

Common error

Avoid using the singular form with a plural concept. Saying "price vary" is incorrect because "price" is singular, while "vary" implies multiple instances or a range. Always use "prices vary" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "price vary" functions as a statement about price differences or fluctuations, but it is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI explains, the correct form is "prices vary". Some examples from Ludwig are: "Selection and price vary wildly" - incorrect, vs, "Housing prices vary widely" - correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "price vary" is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "prices vary". As noted by Ludwig AI, the singular "price" does not agree with the plural verb "vary". While some sources, such as those in News & Media, use the phrase, it should be avoided in formal writing. Always use the plural form to maintain grammatical accuracy and clarity. Consider alternatives like "prices fluctuate" or "prices differ" for grammatically sound expressions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prices vary

Corrects the grammatical error by using the plural form "prices" to agree with the verb "vary".

price fluctuates

Replaces "vary" with "fluctuates" to indicate that the price changes over time.

prices differ

Uses "differ" instead of "vary" to highlight differences in prices.

the price range is

Indicates the span between high and low prices, focusing on the extent of the price.

pricing changes

Emphasizes that the act of pricing is subject to modification.

costs fluctuate

Similar to "price fluctuates", but uses the term "costs" to emphasize expenses.

prices are variable

Emphasizes the quality of prices being subject to modification.

prices are not fixed

Highlights the absence of a set or constant price.

there is price variation

Introduces the noun "variation" to describe price differences.

rates fluctuate

Uses "rates" as an alternative to "prices", suitable for services.

FAQs

What's the correct way to say that prices are different?

The correct phrase is "prices vary". The plural "prices" agrees with the verb "vary", indicating that multiple prices change or differ.

What can I say instead of "price vary" to indicate fluctuation?

Alternatives include "prices fluctuate" or "costs fluctuate", which both convey that prices or costs change over time.

How does "prices differ" compare to "prices vary"?

"Prices differ" emphasizes the differences between prices, whereas "prices vary" highlights the changes in price over time or across different instances.

Is it ever correct to use "price vary" in a sentence?

No, "price vary" is not grammatically correct. Always use "prices vary" to ensure proper subject-verb agreement.