variability

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "variability" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the quality of being changeable or the extent to which something can vary. Example: "The variability in temperature can affect the growth of plants in different climates."

✓ Grammatically correct

Climate studies

Genetics

Data analysis

Healthcare

Economics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As a recent paper published in the journal Nature showed, the Pacific Ocean in particular appears to be the key component of the climate's natural internal variability, and the main culprit behind the slowed global surface warming over the past 15 years.

The Guardian

And the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) has said that, while Australia has high natural rainfall variability, "it seems likely that drying across southern Australia cannot be explained by natural variability alone".

The Guardian

The report voiced "concerns about the variability of the quality of the teaching" and said registration of teachers is only embryonic, leaving people struggling to assess their credentials.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We claim that none of them are really meaningful because there is too much variability in the short record (since 2000 when CERES became active).

The Guardian

By the early noughties, psychologists, behaviourists and evolutionary biologists had got their teeth into it, and started to investigate variability in preferences for masculinity.

The Guardian - Film

Therefore, the implementation of the same standards of care seven days a week will be vital for patients to reduce variability in outcomes.

The Guardian

In the same period, Samsung shipped 78.1m smartphones and Apple 39.3m, while Lenovo shipped 16.9m and LG 16.8m, which IDC describes as a tie due to the variability in the data.

The Guardian - Tech

The funding would lead to "active participations by this PI (principal investigator) of this research proposal in all national and international forums interested in promoting the basic understanding of solar variability and climate change", Soon wrote in a report to Southern Company.

The Guardian

"The observed increase [in surface air temperatures] could be largely due to this natural variability," said the first one, in 1990.

The Economist

It could be because of greater natural variability in the climate, because clouds dampen warming or because of some other little-understood mechanism in the almost infinitely complex climate system.

The Economist

It predicted that this would continue for the next two decades.But it plays down the long-term significance of the shift, saying that "due to natural variability, trends based on short records are very sensitive to the beginning and end dates and do not in general reflect long-term climate trends".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing statistical data, use "variability" to describe the spread or dispersion of data points around the mean. This provides a clear and concise way to communicate the extent to which individual data points differ from the average.

Common error

Avoid using "variability" when you actually mean "variety". "Variability" refers to the degree of change or difference, while "variety" refers to the presence of diverse elements. For instance, use "variety of options" instead of "variability of options" if you're highlighting the different choices available.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "variability" is as a noun. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to the state or degree of being variable. Ludwig's examples show it used in contexts ranging from climate science to genetics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

26%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "variability" functions as a noun describing the degree to which something is subject to change. Ludwig AI confirms that its usage is grammatically correct and common across diverse fields like climate science, genetics, and economics. The term often appears in formal and scientific registers. To ensure precision, distinguish "variability" from similar terms such as "variety". By following these guidelines, you can effectively incorporate "variability" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

degree of variation

Focuses on quantifying the extent to which something changes.

range of differences

Highlights the spectrum of dissimilarities within a set.

level of fluctuation

Emphasizes the unsteady or irregular changes.

extent of change

Underscores how much something has been altered.

degree of inconsistency

Highlights the lack of uniformity or predictability.

measure of dispersion

Refers to the statistical spread of data points.

rate of change

Focuses on the speed at which something is transforming.

diversity

Emphasizes the presence of different elements or qualities.

volatility

Highlights the degree of instability or rapid change.

inconstancy

Implies a lack of steadfastness or reliability.

FAQs

How can I use "variability" in a sentence?

You can use "variability" to describe the degree to which something changes or differs. For example: "The "variability" in weather patterns makes it difficult to predict the harvest yield."

What's the difference between "variability" and "variation"?

"Variability" refers to the state or quality of being variable, while "variation" refers to a specific instance of change or difference. Think of variability as the potential for change, and variation as the actual change.

Which is correct, "high variability" or "high variety"?

The correct phrase depends on the context. Use "high variability" when referring to a large degree of fluctuation or difference. Use "high variety" when referring to a large number of different types or options.

What can I say instead of "variability"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "fluctuation", "diversity", "range", or "variance".