to differ in that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to differ in that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to highlight a specific distinction or difference between two or more subjects or ideas. Example: "The two theories differ in that one emphasizes individual behavior while the other focuses on societal influences."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

The history at Exxon Mobil appears to differ, in that the company published extensive research over decades that largely lined up with mainstream climatology.

The New York Times - Science

For the period as a whole (1960 to 2005), the elderly seem to differ in that VAD above the modal year cannot be related to either HCE or GDP.

Health Economics Review

SCA3 appears to differ in that the role of ataxin-3 in the deubiquitination of K63-linked ubiquitin chains suggests dysregulation of autophagy.> Angelman syndrome is characterized by microcephaly, severe developmental delay, seizures, ataxia, a stereotypical hand flapping, and a happy excitable demeanor.

Acta Neuropathologica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

While the House and Senate measures are similar, they are most likely to differ in ways that could snarl negotiations between Democrats from the two chambers, and delay getting a measure to the president.

The New York Times

While all stretches aim to increase flexibility in your muscles, stretches to increase flexibility differ in that they are held longer and more frequently in order to see a significant improvement in flexibility over time.

WikiHow

These covalent inhibitors have comparable potency to bortezomib, but differ in that they form essentially irreversible adducts with the active site Thr1Oγ residues of the proteasome [ 4, 5, 9, 10, 15, 27– 30].

Biochemical Journal

At this stage, the various strategies begin to differ in the way that they implement and analyze the equations.

BMC Systems Biology

If this is the case then you would expect anxious parents to differ in the way that they use verbal information about novel stimuli.

Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review

There is no reason to expect that Cas1 will differ in that regard, and indeed the reaction products of the RecBCD nuclease are on average much longer than the DNA molecules integrated by Cas1, suggesting the requirement for further processing.

eLife

Transformation and alteration do not differ from each other by the seriousness of the change or in the length of time it takes to make the change; rather, they differ in that transformation requires understanding where alteration does not.

Huffington Post

Although EPCD cells, which contain anthocyanin, are similar in appearance to NPCD cells, NPCD stage cells differ in that they do not undergo PCD during perforation formation.

BMC Plant Biology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to differ in that" to clearly articulate a specific point of divergence between two subjects, ensuring that the comparison is explicit and easily understood. Provide a detailed explanation of how they differ.

Common error

Avoid using "to differ in that" when a simple contrast is sufficient. If the difference is obvious, a more direct phrasing can be more effective and less verbose. Prefer simpler options like "differs by" or "unlike X, Y is".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to differ in that" serves as a connector, specifically used to introduce a distinct point of contrast or difference between two or more subjects. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English. It is often followed by a clause explaining the nature of the difference.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to differ in that" is a connector used to highlight a specific point of contrast. Ludwig AI indicates that is grammatically correct and effective in analytical writing. It appears most frequently in scientific, news, and academic contexts, emphasizing a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like "to vary in that" and "the distinction lies in" exist, "to differ in that" is best used when pinpointing a clear and specific difference between two comparable subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to vary in that

Changes the verb from 'differ' to 'vary', emphasizing the aspect of variation.

to contrast in that

Replaces 'differ' with 'contrast', highlighting a comparison that shows clear differences.

to diverge in that

Uses 'diverge' instead of 'differ', suggesting a branching out or deviation in a specific aspect.

to deviate in that

Similar to 'diverge', but with a stronger connotation of straying from a norm or standard.

the distinction lies in

Shifts the focus to the 'distinction' itself, specifying where the difference is located.

the difference being that

Explicitly states that a 'difference' exists, followed by the specific point of difference.

to be dissimilar in that

Uses 'dissimilar' to express a lack of similarity in a particular aspect.

to depart from in that

Implies a departure or deviation from a previous state or condition.

what sets apart is that

Focuses on what 'sets apart' one thing from another, emphasizing a unique distinction.

the key difference is

Highlights the 'key difference', suggesting it is a significant or crucial point of divergence.

FAQs

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

Use "to differ in that" to point out a specific distinction between two subjects. For instance, "The two approaches "to differ in that" one focuses on short-term gains, while the other prioritizes long-term sustainability."

What are some alternatives to "to differ in that"?

Alternatives include "to vary in that", "to contrast in that", or "the distinction lies in". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "to differ in that"?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize a particular point of difference. It is useful to compare similar topics, and you have several characteristics to compare, but you would like to focus the discussion on one single point.

What is the difference between "to differ in that" and "to differ from"?

"To differ from" indicates a general dissimilarity, while ""to differ in that"" pinpoints a specific aspect where they diverge. For example, "Apples differ from oranges" is a general statement, but "Apples "to differ in that" they grow on trees, unlike strawberries" is more specific.