sharp discrepancy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sharp 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 a formal or analytical context. Example: "The sharp discrepancy between the two reports raised concerns about the accuracy of the data presented."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

My respect and reverence for Rodriguez and his inner peace play themselves against the sharp discrepancy between his talent and the outcome of his musical career.

The New York Times

The countertenor Drew Minter, a natural actor, brought great dramatic instinct to the role of Egeo, but the sharp discrepancy between his upper and lower register was distracting.

The New York Times - Arts

Overall, they calculate that the human and chimp lines must have split finally apart at the earliest 6.3 million years ago and more probably 5.4 million years ago, a sharp discrepancy with the Sahelanthropus date.

The New York Times - Science

In the case of mixing with respect to methamphetamine use, there is a sharp discrepancy between model predictions after one recruitment wave, due to the idiosyncratic recruitment behavior in seed individuals that was captured by the addition of hidden states.

Plosone

A sharp discrepancy was noted between poor ICCs and much higher AFs for orbicularis oculi and zygomaticus).

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

City officials said explanations for the sharp discrepancies may not emerge until buildings began undergoing required energy audits and inspections of their heating, cooling and other systems in 2013.

The New York Times - Science

The reason for the sharp discrepancies in energy use will not be fully identified until the buildings undergo required energy audits, starting next year, but the benchmarking data reveals some patterns.

The New York Times

This result provides a complexity-theoretic explanation of sharp discrepancies that have been observed in the social choice theory literature when comparing Dodgson elections with simpler voting rules.

Artificial Intelligence

But sharp pay discrepancies between public service law and big-firm practice are nothing new, with the firms' latest increases having merely widened the gap.

The New York Times

Essjay had responded at the time with a statement on his Wikipedia page, in part reading: Reaction from within the Wikipedia community to the Essjay/Jordan identity discrepancy was sharp, voluminous, and mixed.

Wikipedia

Overall, this discrepancy indicates a sharp market segmentation with respect to this feature with consumers in high market segments that seem to value more features directly related to the producer than official third party certifications (see below the results for the PDO/PGI certification).

Agricultural and Food Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sharp discrepancy", ensure that the context clearly defines the two elements being compared. Quantifying the difference can add impact and clarity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "sharp discrepancy" always indicates an error or problem. It can also highlight unexpected but valid differences, such as in research findings. Clarify whether the discrepancy is problematic or simply noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sharp discrepancy" functions as a noun phrase, where 'sharp' modifies the noun 'discrepancy'. It is used to identify and emphasize a significant and noticeable difference or inconsistency between two or more things. Ludwig confirms this usage through various examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

41%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sharp discrepancy" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes a significant difference or inconsistency. Ludwig's analysis shows that it's most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. It serves to highlight notable differences, often prompting further analysis. While not extremely common, its usage is consistent across authoritative sources. Ludwig confirms that "sharp discrepancy" is a valid and effective way to describe a notable difference between two or more things.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial inconsistency

Underscores the lack of agreement or coherence between different elements.

noticeable disparity

Emphasizes an inequality or difference that is easily observed.

evident contradiction

Points to a direct opposition, suggesting the elements cannot both be true or valid.

marked difference

Emphasizes a noticeable difference, potentially less severe than a discrepancy.

stark contrast

Suggests a very sharp and obvious difference, often more dramatic than a simple discrepancy.

distinct contrast

Focuses on the clear opposition between two elements.

significant variation

Highlights variation rather than a direct contradiction or inconsistency.

clear divergence

Suggests a separation or deviation from a common point or path.

considerable divergence

Implies a notable departure from an expected course or standard.

pronounced imbalance

Highlights a lack of equilibrium or proportionality.

FAQs

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

Use "sharp discrepancy" to point out a significant difference between two or more things. For example, "There was a sharp discrepancy between the predicted budget and the actual expenses."

What can I say instead of "sharp discrepancy"?

You can use alternatives like "marked difference", "significant variation", or "substantial inconsistency" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "sharp discrepancy" or "slight discrepancy"?

"Sharp discrepancy" emphasizes a large difference, while "slight discrepancy" indicates a small difference. Choose the phrase that accurately reflects the magnitude of the difference you are describing.

What's the difference between "sharp discrepancy" and "evident contradiction"?

A "sharp discrepancy" highlights a notable difference, while "evident contradiction" suggests a direct conflict or opposition. The latter is a stronger term indicating that two statements or facts cannot both be true.