to be differing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be differing" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It can be used when discussing the state of being different or varying, but it is more natural to use simpler forms. Example: "The opinions of the two experts seem to be differing on this issue."

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

HRQL at baseline was found to be differing between the participating centers (in this case different countries/cultural regions).

BMC Gastroenterology

As with any disaster, there seem to be differing recollections.

The New York Times

But the agreement over hosting the Nato radar comes at a time when Turkey and Iran appear to be differing on their approach toward Syria, with Turkey becoming increasingly critical of Iranian ally Syria's brutal suppression of anti-regime protests.

The Telegraph

If the images are not the same size, any pixels in the range of one image but out of the bounds of the other are considered to be differing.

Stanford University

(a tungro tolerant variety from India) to IR64 [ 10], and these two lines were also found to be differing in drought tolerance [ 12].

BMC Plant Biology

In line with research into other subjective constructs [ 21, 22], there are likely to be differing perspectives between staff and service users, so separate assessments for use by staff (CDIS-S) and service users/patients (CDIS-P) are needed.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Whereas initially this procedure was performed as an open procedure, up to suturing have to be differed: all-inside, outside-in, inside-out.

Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics

This observed discrepancy in the above results seemed to be differ with cultivars, plant age, tissues, and growing conditions (Hong et al. 2007).

Botanical Studies

A particular flashpoint seems to have been differing philosophies, with school staff committed to a "play-based" learning approach.

The Guardian

Another challenge for European companies trying to scale up are differing regulations in different countries around taxes and data privacy, among other things.

TechCrunch

A further possibility is differing times to incubation.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When indicating a state of variance or difference, use the verb "differ" followed by appropriate prepositions (e.g. differ in, differ from) to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "to be differing" when a more straightforward construction like "to differ" or "to be different" is more appropriate. Overcomplicating sentence structure can obscure your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be differing" functions as an infinitive phrase, typically used to express a state of divergence or variance. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically acceptable but not the most common choice. Examples show its use in academic, news, and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically acceptable, the phrase "to be differing" is an uncommon and often stylistically weaker choice compared to alternatives like "to differ" or "to be different". As Ludwig AI explains, simpler constructions are generally preferred for clarity. Its usage spans science, news, and academic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. Opt for more direct alternatives in most writing situations to enhance clarity and conciseness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to differ

This is the base form of the verb, a more direct and common way to express divergence.

to be different

This uses the adjective "different" and is a simpler, more common construction.

to vary

This suggests a range of differences rather than a single point of divergence.

to diverge

This implies a gradual separation or moving in different directions.

to stand apart

This emphasizes distinctiveness and separation from others.

to contrast

This highlights the differences between two or more things when compared.

to conflict

This suggests a strong disagreement or opposition.

to be at odds

This indicates a state of disagreement or tension.

to show discrepancies

Focuses on factual inconsistencies or divergences.

to deviate

Implies a departure from a standard or expected path.

FAQs

What's a simpler alternative to "to be differing"?

More common and direct alternatives include "to differ" or "to be different", which are often preferred for clarity.

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

Use "to differ" followed by prepositions like "in" or "from", depending on the context. For example, "The results differ in methodology" or "This approach differs from the previous one".

Is "to be differing" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "to be differing" is less common and can sound awkward. It's generally better to use "to differ" or "to be different".

When might "to be differing" be appropriate?

"To be differing" can be used when describing an ongoing state of divergence, but simpler alternatives are usually preferable for clarity. It's more common to say "The opinions seem "to be diverging"".