this may differ from

USAGE SUMMARY

"this may differ from" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to draw a comparison between two things, suggesting that one thing may be different from the other. For example, "This student's grades may differ from those of their peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Our results regarding the correlation between hepcidin and iron parameters noted that there is no correlation between them; this may differ from results reported by some studies due to different assay methods for hepcidin which may lead to a considerable difference in results.

The Journal of Basic and Applied Zoology

[This may differ from APG and/or PlantSystematics.org family and genus classifications].

Cornell University

"This may differ from branch to branch, location to location," he says, explaining that branches need to be "agile" to local needs.

BBC

Be open and aware of the fact that this may differ from your own style of communication.

Huffington Post

We could only report on routinely-documented data and this may differ from actual IPT delivery.

BMC Public Health

Place of death is a mandatory field, but this may differ from the location of the suicidal act if the individual is transferred to hospital and dies there.

European Journal of Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

As this analysis addresses fatal NCDs, the care-seeking patterns described in this paper may differ from those of women who suffer from non-fatal NCDs or those who were diagnosed early enough to prevent death.

BMC Women's Health

This number may differ from the number of distinguishable sites identifiable by physical means, IR of adsorbed CO for example.

Catalysis Today

The "right" answer to this question may differ from individual to individual and can be known only in retrospect.

The Economist

This statistic may differ from population to population, depending upon how common antidepressant use during pregnancy is.

The New York Times

*The spelling or styling of place-names in this table may differ from those given on the World Heritage List; in addition, some place-names represent one or more constituent parts of larger World Heritage sites.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "this may differ from", clearly specify what 'this' refers to and what it is differing from to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "this may differ from" when the subject 'this' is not immediately clear in the context. Ensure the reader knows exactly what 'this' refers to for better comprehension.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this may differ from" functions as a qualifying statement, introducing a potential discrepancy or variation between a subject and a point of comparison. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase effectively communicates a nuanced comparison.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "this may differ from" is a versatile expression used to introduce potential variations or discrepancies. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. As the examples show, it's frequently used in scientific and academic writing to acknowledge limitations or contextual differences. While common in formal writing, it's also appropriate for news and general informational contexts. Remember to clearly define what "this" refers to for clarity. Consider alternatives like "this might be distinct from" when a stronger emphasis on dissimilarity is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this might be distinct from

Emphasizes the distinct nature of the difference.

this could vary from

Highlights the possibility of variation.

this can deviate from

Stresses the potential for departure from a norm or standard.

this is not necessarily the same as

Focuses on the lack of guaranteed equivalence.

this is unlike

Simple and direct way to point out dissimilarity.

this contrasts with

Highlights a clear contrast between the two things being compared.

this is different than

A more informal way of saying "this is different from".

this bears little resemblance to

Emphasizes a lack of similarity.

the comparison is not straightforward

Highlights the complexity of comparing the two things.

there are notable differences between them

Highlights existence of important differences between the items.

FAQs

How can I use "this may differ from" in a sentence?

Use "this may differ from" to indicate a potential discrepancy or variation between two things. For example, "The actual cost "this may differ from" the estimated cost".

What's a formal alternative to "this may differ from"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "this might be distinct from" or "this could vary from" for a more sophisticated tone.

Is it better to say "different from" or "different than"?

"Different from" is generally preferred in formal writing, though "different than" is common in American English. However, in the case of QUERY the word "than" is not an option.

How does "this may differ from" compare to "this is unlike"?

"This is unlike" ("this is unlike") emphasizes a stronger contrast, while "this may differ from" suggests a possible but not necessarily significant variation.