staggering difference

USAGE SUMMARY

"staggering difference" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a large, surprising difference between two or more things. For example, "The staggering difference between the cost of rent in this city and the cost of rent in the suburbs is astonishing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

This is a staggering difference of kind, not degree.

The New York Times

In other pairs of culturally similar countries, we see the same staggering difference.

Harvard Business Review

A staggering difference of more than 500 °C is seen between the maximum average centerline temperatures for UO2 and coated fuel pellets.

Progress in Nuclear Energy

Incremental increases in speed, such as the difference between 30 and 35 miles an hour, make a staggering difference to your stopping speed.

Independent

That's a staggering difference, and raises a critical question: could we reduce the exclusion rate in mainstream schools if children at risk of being thrown out were funded at this higher rate?

The Guardian

For the company is also the world's biggest financial institution, the primary savings bank and provider of insurance to millions of Japanese.Japan Post may be trying to learn from Toyota, but there is still a staggering difference between the two organisations.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"There are these absolutely staggering differences between people who are lean and people who are obese," said James A. Levine of the Mayo Clinic, who led the research published in today's issue of the journal Science.

The Washington Post

Miranda McLean, Marketing Director at Ukash, commented on the results: "We were surprised to find such staggering differences in costs, with factors such as car insurance, rent and tuition fees varying greatly depending on where you study".

Independent

The team found staggering differences in gene expression between juvenile 3-month-old mice and 16-month-old mice (equivalent to late middle age in humans).

Science Magazine

In the project's images, Four White Teens and Four Black Teens, Loftin displays against poppy backdrops two screen grabs of google images results, each displaying visually the staggering differences in search results.

Vice

Granted, the problems of economic union are staggering, with differences in national tax regimes topping the list.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "staggering difference", ensure the context clearly establishes what two elements are being compared. Clarity is crucial for the phrase to have its intended impact.

Common error

Avoid using "staggering difference" in every instance of describing a difference. Overusing it can dilute its impact. Reserve it for situations where the difference is truly exceptional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "staggering difference" functions as an intensifying adjective phrase modifying the noun "difference". It highlights the magnitude and unexpectedness of the dissimilarity. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "staggering difference" describes a surprisingly large or significant difference between two things. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Although categorized as "Uncommon", the phrase appears in diverse sources like news, science, and business, suggesting versatility. To enhance clarity, ensure the compared elements are clearly defined. Remember that overuse diminishes its impact. Semantically related alternatives include "remarkable disparity" and "significant contrast". These choices provide nuance while retaining the core meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remarkable disparity

Replaces "staggering" with "remarkable" and "difference" with "disparity", focusing on the noteworthiness of the difference.

significant contrast

Emphasizes the contrast between two things, using "significant" to highlight the importance of the difference.

substantial variation

Focuses on the amount of change or difference, using "substantial" to indicate a considerable degree.

considerable gap

Highlights the space or interval between two things, using "considerable" to emphasize the size of the gap.

pronounced distinction

Emphasizes the clarity and obviousness of the difference, using "pronounced" to indicate its noticeable quality.

striking divergence

Highlights the point at which two things begin to differ, using "striking" to emphasize the impressiveness of the divergence.

marked contrast

Uses "marked" to indicate a clear and easily observed difference, placing emphasis on its distinctiveness.

glaring inconsistency

Highlights the lack of uniformity or agreement, using "glaring" to emphasize the obviousness of the inconsistency.

extreme deviation

Focuses on the act of departing from a standard or norm, using "extreme" to indicate a large degree of departure.

notable difference

Simple change that uses the word "notable" instead of "staggering".

FAQs

How can I use "staggering difference" in a sentence?

Use "staggering difference" to highlight a surprisingly large or significant difference between two things. For example, "There was a staggering difference between the projected costs and the actual expenses."

What can I say instead of "staggering difference"?

You can use alternatives like "remarkable disparity", "significant contrast", or "substantial variation" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "staggering difference"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize that the difference is surprisingly large, unexpected, or has a significant impact. The phrase is suited to situations where the difference is truly noteworthy.

Is "staggering difference" formal or informal?

"Staggering difference" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, avoid using it in highly technical or specialized fields where more precise or technical language may be required.