this is variable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is variable" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to something that can change or is not fixed. For example, "The temperature in the room is variable throughout the day." Alternative expressions include "this is changeable," "this is adjustable," and "this is flexible."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

But this is variable, so I can't depend on it.

The Times

Vocally, this is variable, with the men better than the women.

The Guardian - Music

This is variable emotional geography, on the fringes of an exceptionally prosperous place, fertile soil for either complacence or resentment.

The New Yorker

"This is variable," says Altmann, "but the inequalities of income and wealth have increased during the financial crisis.

The Guardian - Money

Almost all subspecies show some red in the tail but this is variable with age and also with morph, with many populations having dark and pale morph individuals.

Cornell University

Plants begin to break dormancy in mid-July with a typical growing season lasting from October to April, though this is variable and plants can continue growing year-round without dormancy.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

With REF-52 fibroblasts, low levels of activation were detected in some experiments, but this was variable.

Plosone

How fast this happens is variable, depending on ocean currents and other fluctuations.

The Guardian

Since this rerouting is variable, it functions like the plastic brain, changing connections whenever needed.

The Guardian - Tech

The assessment and management of this condition is variable.

British Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Pre-Chandra observations of M82 have shown that this source is variable and close to the center of the galaxy.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In scientific writing, follow the phrase with a clarifying 'depending on' clause to specify the factors influencing the change (e.g., "this is variable depending on the temperature").

Common error

Avoid using "this is variable" when you are identifying a mathematical or programming object. In those cases, you should use the noun form: "this is a variable". For example, use "this is variable" to describe the weather, but "this is a variable" to describe the 'x' in an equation.

Linguistic Context

In terms of grammatical structure, "this is variable" functions as a subject followed by a copular verb and a predicative adjective. This construction is used to assign a property (variability) to a previously mentioned subject. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is a standard way to qualify a statement by indicating that the preceding data point is not absolute or fixed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

55%

Academia

25%

News & Media

20%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this is variable" is an essential tool for writers who need to express that a certain condition is not constant. Ludwig AI identifies it as a highly reliable and grammatically correct expression, specifically favored in technical fields like medicine, biology, and economics. While it is simple in its structure, its utility lies in providing a necessary disclaimer when presenting data or observations. Writers should be careful to distinguish between the adjective form used here and the noun form ("a variable"), but otherwise, "this is variable" remains a professional and precise choice for both academic and journalistic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this varies

uses the verb form to describe the action of changing rather than the state

this is not fixed

defines the state by what it is not, emphasizing the lack of a permanent setting

this is subject to change

implies that external factors or future events may alter the current state

this fluctuates

describes a specific type of variation that moves up and down frequently

this is inconsistent

carries a slightly more negative connotation of being unreliable or irregular

this is nonuniform

specifically denotes a lack of consistency across different parts or instances

this is flexible

positive connotation suggesting that the variability is beneficial or adaptable

this is adjustable

suggests that the changeability is a feature that can be controlled by a user

this is unpredictable

focuses on the inability to foresee the changes rather than the change itself

this is diverse

often used when referring to a range of different types or versions

FAQs

How to use "this is variable" in a sentence?

You can use "this is variable" as a standalone observation or to introduce a list of factors. For example, "The success rate was 80%, but <a href="/s/this+is+variable" target="_blank" rel="alternative">this is variable depending on the cohort."

What is the difference between "this is variable" and "this is a variable"?

The first uses 'variable' as an adjective meaning 'changeable', while the second uses it as a noun meaning 'a quantity that can change'. Use "<a href="/s/this+is+variable" target="_blank" rel="alternative">this is variable" to describe a state and "<a href="/s/this+is+a+variable" target="_blank" rel="alternative">this is a variable" to identify a symbol or parameter.

What can I say instead of "this is variable"?

Depending on your tone, you could use "<a href="/s/this+varies" target="_blank" rel="alternative">this varies", "<a href="/s/this+is+subject+to+change" target="_blank" rel="alternative">this is subject to change", or simply "<a href="/s/it+depends" target="_blank" rel="alternative">it depends".

Is "this is variable" formal enough for a research paper?

Yes, it is highly common in scientific contexts. Ludwig AI shows it frequently in journals like <a href="/s/Nature" target="_blank" rel="alternative">Nature and <a href="/s/Plosone" target="_blank" rel="alternative">Plosone to describe experimental results that are not uniform.