tend to differ

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "tend to differ" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing variations or differences in opinions, behaviors, or characteristics among people or things. Example: "While many experts agree on the importance of climate change, their proposed solutions tend to differ."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Therefore the detection rate of NMSC would not tend to differ among different social classes.

BMC Cancer

Therefore the detection rate would not tend to differ among different social classes.

Diabetes Care

Therefore the detection rate of bladder cancer would not tend to differ among different social classes.

BMC Cancer

Therefore the detection rate of breast cancer would not tend to differ among different social classes.

BMC Cancer

The ' putative GIs' detected by methods based on different distances tend to differ in their boundaries to a small extent.

BMC Genomics

The discrepancies between these studies may be explained in part by the fact that the employment effects of minimum wage increases on different target groups tend to differ.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Given that schools tend to differ with respect to educational programs, teachers may therefore show similar performance differences.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

We tend to differ that way.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

DNA does tend to differ, very slightly, with race.

The New York Times

Extracurriculars, our work suggests, tend to differ from core classes in a number of important ways.

Harvard University

Anonymous tend to differ from another hacking collective, LulzSec, by performing their attacks for political, activist reasons.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "tend to differ" when you want to express that variations are likely or expected, but not guaranteed. For example: "Approaches to conflict resolution tend to differ based on cultural norms."

Common error

Avoid using "tend to differ" when a stark contrast or absolute difference is meant. Instead, use phrases like "are completely different" or "are fundamentally opposed" when there is no overlap.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tend to differ" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to express that two or more things are likely to show differences or variations. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. The phrase highlights a predisposition towards dissimilarity rather than a guaranteed divergence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

33%

Academia

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "tend to differ" is a grammatically sound and versatile verb phrase used to convey the likelihood of variations or discrepancies between entities. As Ludwig AI highlights, its usage spans across diverse fields like science, news, and academia. While it may not be as common as simpler alternatives, its neutral register makes it suitable for formal and informal contexts alike. When using this phrase, it's essential to ensure that you're accurately representing a tendency toward divergence, rather than an absolute difference. Consider alternatives such as "often vary" or "typically contrast" to fine-tune your expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

often vary

Focuses on the variability or inconsistency, rather than a specific inclination to diverge.

typically contrast

Emphasizes the differences between items that are being compared.

generally diverge

Highlights the act of moving in different directions or evolving separately.

commonly deviate

Suggests a departure from a standard or norm.

usually diverge

Similar to "generally diverge", but perhaps implying a slightly higher frequency.

show disparities

Focuses on the inequalities or differences that are present.

exhibit variations

Highlights the presence of different forms or instances.

display discrepancies

Emphasizes the inconsistencies or contradictions that are apparent.

demonstrate differences

A more direct and general way of stating that differences exist.

are often dissimilar

Focuses on the lack of resemblance or likeness between entities.

FAQs

How can I use "tend to differ" in a sentence?

Use "tend to differ" to indicate that there are likely variations or discrepancies between two or more things. For example: "People's opinions on politics "tend to differ" widely."

What are some alternatives to "tend to differ"?

Alternatives include phrases like "often vary", "typically contrast", or "generally diverge" depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "tend to differ" or "are different"?

"Tend to differ" suggests a likelihood of variation and is generally more nuanced than the direct statement "are different". The level of formality is similar, but the former implies a tendency rather than an absolute state. The phrase "are different" is less formal.

What's the difference between "tend to differ" and "always differ"?

"Tend to differ" implies a probability or likelihood of differences, while "always differ" indicates that differences are constant and without exception. Using "always differ" asserts a stronger and more absolute divergence.