there is a discrepancy

USAGE SUMMARY

"there is a discrepancy" is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe when something does not add up, or is not exactly how it is supposed to be. Example: After tallying up the budget spreadsheet I noticed there was a discrepancy in the numbers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Even among federal agencies there is a discrepancy in what is provided.

Huffington Post

There is a discrepancy here.

The Guardian

Thus, there is a discrepancy of 6,500 bombs.

The New York Times

"Obviously, there is a discrepancy" between the bishop's account and attorney general's report," he said.

The New York Times

Still, in Pennsylvania as elsewhere, there is a discrepancy between polls.

The New York Times

If there is a discrepancy, the machine is shut down, and investigated.

The New York Times

"There is a discrepancy there that people need to start addressing," he said.

The Guardian - Tech

There is a discrepancy between what is claimed and what is the reality".

The Guardian

The problem begins when there is a discrepancy in the identifying information.

The New York Times

There is a discrepancy between what people say and what they do".

The New York Times

/ There is a discrepancy between what we see and what is really there.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "there is a discrepancy", clearly state what two or more things are not matching or aligned. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "there is a discrepancy" without specifying the source or nature of the discrepancy. For instance, instead of saying "There is a discrepancy", specify "There is a discrepancy between the reported income and the tax returns."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "there is a discrepancy" functions as an existential clause introducing the presence of an inconsistency or difference. According to Ludwig AI, this is a usable expression. Examples from Ludwig show its use in diverse contexts, highlighting its versatility in pointing out deviations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "there is a discrepancy" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate an inconsistency or difference between two or more items. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability across varied writing styles. The phrase is most commonly found in scientific and news-related content, denoting its versatile yet formal tone. Related phrases include "there is an inconsistency" and "the figures don't match". When using this phrase, it's best practice to clearly specify what isn't aligning to avoid ambiguity. While often appearing in neutral registers, its adaptability renders it appropriate across both formal and informal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

there is an inconsistency

Replaces "discrepancy" with "inconsistency", a direct synonym, maintaining a very high degree of semantic similarity.

there is a contradiction

Substitutes "discrepancy" with "contradiction", which implies a direct opposition between two things.

there is a variance

Uses "variance" instead of "discrepancy", suggesting a difference or deviation.

there is a divergence

Replaces "discrepancy" with "divergence", implying that two things are moving apart or differing.

there is an imbalance

Substitutes "discrepancy" with "imbalance", indicating a lack of equilibrium or proportion.

there is a disagreement

Uses "disagreement" instead of "discrepancy", highlighting a lack of consensus or agreement.

the figures don't match

A more informal way of saying there is a problem with the numbers

the accounts do not reconcile

Specifically used when financial records do not align.

there's a gap

An informal way to express that something is missing or not aligned.

something doesn't add up

A colloquial expression indicating that something seems wrong or illogical.

FAQs

How can I use "there is a discrepancy" in a sentence?

You can use "there is a discrepancy" to point out differences between two or more sets of data, reports, or observations. For instance, "There is a discrepancy between the sales forecast and the actual sales figures."

What are some alternatives to saying "there is a discrepancy"?

You can use alternatives like "there is an inconsistency", "there is a difference", or "the figures don't match" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "there is a discrepancy" or "there is an inconsistency"?

Both "there is a discrepancy" and "there is an inconsistency" are correct. "Discrepancy" often implies a difference that requires further investigation, while "inconsistency" simply notes a lack of uniformity or agreement.

What does it mean when someone says "there is a discrepancy"?

When someone says "there is a discrepancy", they mean that there is a notable difference or inconsistency between two or more things that should ideally align or match. This often implies a need for further examination or clarification.