serious discrepancy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious discrepancy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant difference or inconsistency between two or more things, often in contexts such as reports, data analysis, or investigations. Example: "The audit revealed a serious discrepancy in the financial records that needs to be addressed immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

There was a serious discrepancy betw.

The New Yorker

D1 SCIENCE/HEALTH Putting the Universe in Doubt Precise observations of subatomic particles have uncovered a serious discrepancy with the collection of theories that explain the known particles and forces that shape the universe, scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory announced.

The New York Times

A year of persistent questions from Lake Victoria fishermen was needed to discover a serious discrepancy between the levies they paid to use a fish market and the amount the council reported receiving.

The Guardian

The fact of the matter Two wrongs can make a right Think of a number, then double it Reprints Related items A survey of the human genome: Life storyJun 29th 2000That sounds like a serious discrepancy, and it is.

The Economist

If we understood how we operate as humans then we would understand that madness doesn't exist; it's just a way of feeling when we discover that there's a serious discrepancy between what we thought our life was and what it actually is.

The Guardian

Comparison of experimental profiles with the latest version of the IRI model has shown a good agreement in the case of O+ but a serious discrepancy in the case of light ions (H+ and He+) which results in an underestimate of the upper transition height by IRI.

Advances in Space Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

A series of AEC reviews into the Altum Property Trust, Altum HQ Trust and LNP Nominees Pty Ltd has found serious discrepancies in their donation disclosures.

The Guardian

Such comparisons revealed serious discrepancies between experiments and simulations for ultralean H2/air flames by using four kinetic mechanisms.

Combustion and Flame

For Bi, Se, and Ge, the experimental picture is consisted with the DFT results, while for Ni, Co and Au, serious discrepancies are found.

Acta Materialia

KPMG cited "serious discrepancies" regarding bank balances and "discrepancies between KPMG's direct calls to customers and confirmations returned by mail".

The New York Times

The high court revoked the death penalty in November 1992 due to serious discrepancies in the prosecution's case and ordered a retrial.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serious discrepancy", ensure you clearly identify the two or more elements being compared and the specific nature of the inconsistency. This provides clarity and strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "serious discrepancy" for minor or trivial inconsistencies. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and credibility when addressing truly significant issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious discrepancy" functions as a noun phrase, where "serious" modifies "discrepancy", adding emphasis to the significance of the inconsistency. Ludwig examples confirm its role in highlighting substantial differences, as also stated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

41%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "serious discrepancy" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to denote a significant inconsistency. Ludwig's analysis reveals it's employed across various contexts, including news, science, and business, signaling a level of concern or potential problems. While the Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's important to avoid overuse and ensure the phrase accurately reflects the gravity of the situation. Alternatives such as "significant inconsistency" or "grave inconsistency" can offer nuanced variations, and focusing on identifying the specific elements being compared will strengthen your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave inconsistency

Emphasizes the severity or importance of the inconsistency.

significant inconsistency

Replaces "serious" with "significant" to emphasize importance without the implication of severity.

glaring contradiction

Implies an obvious and easily noticeable conflict between two things.

significant mismatch

Highlights a lack of correspondence or compatibility.

major difference

Uses broader terms, focusing on the magnitude of the difference rather than a conflict or error.

palpable inconsistency

Highlights that the inconsistency is easily perceived or obvious.

considerable disparity

Emphasizes the inequality or difference in amount or quality.

substantial variation

Highlights the amount of change or difference between two things.

marked divergence

Focuses on the act of moving away from a common point or standard.

acute incongruity

Stresses a sharp and noticeable lack of harmony or compatibility.

FAQs

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

Use "serious discrepancy" to highlight a significant difference or inconsistency between two or more things. For example, "There was a "serious discrepancy" between the reported income and the actual earnings."

What are some alternatives to "serious discrepancy"?

Alternatives include "significant inconsistency", "major difference", or "grave inconsistency", depending on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "serious discrepancy" or "significant discrepancy"?

Both "serious discrepancy" and "significant discrepancy" are correct, but "serious" implies a greater level of concern or potential negative consequences compared to "significant."

What's the difference between "discrepancy" and "inconsistency"?

"Discrepancy" often refers to a difference between two things that should match, like figures or facts, while "inconsistency" can refer to a lack of uniformity or coherence in behavior, arguments, or statements.