variation over time

USAGE SUMMARY

'variation over time' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an idiomatic expression that can be used to describe changes that happen gradually over an extended period of time. For example, you could say "The population of the city showed a marked variation over time, increasing from 50,000 to over 3 million people in the last 20 years".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That means more data points, and therefore a more accurate picture of the variation over time.

Nature

Sure there's some noise and some variation over time, but a big difference remains no matter what.

The Guardian

The performance of a thermoelectric module was analyzed by a visualization technique of temperature variation over time.

Applied Thermal Engineering

The analysis uses an extensive panel data that allows an analysis of within person variation over time.

Research Policy

Her research was instrumental in demonstrating that the structure of biological communities changed in response to environmental factors, such as climatic variation, over time.

Britannica

One group of researchers relied on local case studies and the other on national level data and state variation over time.

University of California, Berkeley

All show significant variation over time.

Annals of Intensive Care

HRV refers to the variation over time of the intervals between consecutive heartbeats.

Springer

Coagulation parameters showed little variation over time or between treatment groups (p > 0.05).

Duke University

Each voxel is represented using signal intensity variation over time as written here, Fig. 4 Comparison of signal intensity variation over time in lesion and non-lesion tissues.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

This variable differs greatly between provinces, but the variation over time is small.

IZA Journal of Labor Policy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing "variation over time", be specific about the factors causing the variation and the scale of time being considered. For example, instead of simply stating "There is variation over time", specify "The temperature shows significant variation over time due to seasonal changes".

Common error

Avoid using "variation over time" as a placeholder when you can provide more specific details about the nature of the change. Instead of saying "The data showed variation over time", specify the trend, such as "The data showed a decreasing trend over time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "variation over time" functions as a noun phrase that describes the phenomenon of something changing or differing across a period. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase. Examples from Ludwig show its application in diverse contexts, from climate to biology.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

Academia

14%

News & Media

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "variation over time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes changes or differences observed across a period. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Appearing most often in scientific and academic contexts, "variation over time" serves to analyze and report on evolving data or phenomena. When using this phrase, ensure that the nature and scale of the variation are clearly specified. Alternative phrases like "change over time" or "temporal variation" can be used depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

temporal variation

This alternative focuses on the 'temporal' aspect, directly indicating a change related to time.

change over time

This is a more straightforward and commonly used synonym, directly indicating that a change occurs across a period.

trends over time

This refers to identifiable patterns or directions of change observed across a period.

fluctuations over time

This suggests irregular variations or oscillations observed across a period.

evolution over time

This highlights a gradual development or transformation observed across a period.

progression over time

This emphasizes a forward movement or advancement observed across a period.

shifts over time

This focuses on notable changes or re-orientations observed across a period.

alteration over time

This indicates a modification or change observed across a period.

development over time

This highlights a growth or expansion observed across a period.

modification over time

This stresses adjustments or refinements observed across a period.

FAQs

How can I use "variation over time" in a sentence?

You can use "variation over time" to describe how something changes across a period, like "The study analyzed the "variation over time" in stock prices" or "The patient's symptoms showed significant "variation over time"".

What are some alternatives to "variation over time"?

Alternatives include "change over time", "temporal variation", or "trends over time", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "changes over time" or "variation over time"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. "Changes over time" is more general, while "variation over time" implies a more irregular or fluctuating pattern. The best choice depends on the specific context.

In data analysis, how do I describe "variation over time"?

In data analysis, you might describe "variation over time" using statistical measures such as standard deviation, variance, or by visually representing the data as a time series plot to show trends and fluctuations.