varies among

USAGE SUMMARY

"varies among" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to describe the differences or fluctuations between a group of items or individuals. Example: The cost of living varies among different cities in the United States. For example, while the cost of rent may be high in New York City, it may be significantly lower in smaller cities like Boise, Idaho.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Eligibility varies among the fellowships.

University of California, Berkeley

Fecundability also varies among women past menarche.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Enthusiasm varies among free schools and academies.

The Economist

The structure of metapopulations varies among species.

Encyclopedia Britannica

(The rate varies among European countries).

The New York Times

Light communication varies among firefly species.

The Guardian

Its prevalence varies among global population.

Nature

Tumor response to treatment varies among patients.

Medical Image Analysis

But the number of oderant receptors varies among species.

The New York Times - Science

The degree of acceptance of evolution varies among Islamic countries.

The New York Times - Science

Buy-in to his scheme varies among the waitstaff.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "varies among", ensure you clearly identify the specific groups or items that are being compared to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify that 'opinions varies among students' instead of just 'opinions varies'.

Common error

Avoid using "varies among" without explicitly stating what aspects are varying. Instead of saying 'the product quality varies among manufacturers', be specific: 'the product quality in terms of durability varies among manufacturers'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "varies among" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that there are differences or fluctuations within a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used to highlight these distinctions. For example, 'The degree of acceptance of evolution varies among Islamic countries'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

27%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "varies among" is a grammatically sound and versatile verb phrase used to indicate differences or fluctuations within a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, its widespread usage across diverse contexts, from science and news to encyclopedias, underscores its neutral register and general applicability. When using "varies among", ensure to clearly define the groups being compared and the specific aspects that are varying. While alternatives like "differs between" or "fluctuates within" exist, "varies among" provides a direct and clear way to express distinctions within a set.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not uniform among

Directly states the lack of sameness within a collection.

displays variation in

Focuses on the presence of fluctuation or change within the values of a variable.

differs between

Focuses on the difference existing between two distinct entities or categories.

shows differences between

This alternative emphasizes the observable disparities existing between distinct items.

is inconsistent across

Indicates a lack of regularity or predictability in distribution or form.

fluctuates within

Highlights the range of variation or instability within a specific group or set.

ranges across

Emphasizes the scope or spectrum of differences observed in multiple cases.

exhibits diversity among

Highlights the variety of different forms or characteristics within a set.

diverges between

Suggests a branching or separation in characteristics between different entities.

changes from one to another

This describes the shift or alteration as you move between distinct entities.

FAQs

How do I use "varies among" in a sentence?

Use "varies among" to indicate differences within a specified group. For example, "The level of preparedness "varies among countries"" shows that different countries have different levels of preparedness.

What's a good substitute for "varies among"?

You can use phrases like "differs between", "fluctuates within", or "is inconsistent across" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "vary among" instead of "varies among"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "vary among" with plural subjects (e.g. 'opinions vary among people'), and "varies among" with singular subjects or when referring to a general concept (e.g. 'the degree of acceptance varies among cultures').

What is the difference between "varies among" and "different among"?

"Varies among" is a verb phrase that describes the act of differing, while "different among" is grammatically incorrect. You could rephrase it as "differences exist among".