varies between

USAGE SUMMARY

"varies between" is a correct and usable phrase in written English and can be used to describe something that falls within a range of values.
For example, you could say, "The amount of rainfall varies between one and four inches each month."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This varies between 8% and 17% across all councils, however.

The Guardian

The type of art studied varies between universities.

The Guardian

This depends entirely on the context, and varies between individuals.

Independent

The juvenile mortality rate varies between 60 and 80 percent.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Ideally, its length varies between 5 and 12 verses.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The mood varies between brisk exchange and social outing.

The New York Times

In addition, the number of glomeruli varies between species.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The process also varies between countries.

Science Magazine

Nucleosome positioning varies between cell types.

Cell

The affected zone varies between studied steels.

International Journal of Mechanical and Materials Engineering

α varies between 0 and 1.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "varies between", ensure you clearly define the entities or categories between which the variation occurs to avoid ambiguity. For example, specify "The price varies between different stores" rather than just "The price varies".

Common error

Avoid using "varies between" without specifying the limits or scope of the variation. Saying "The temperature varies between spring and summer" is better than simply stating "The temperature varies".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "varies between" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that a particular characteristic or value differs or fluctuates across a defined range or among multiple entities. Ludwig provides numerous examples to confirm this widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

52%

Wiki

14%

News & Media

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "varies between" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate differences or fluctuations within a specified range or among multiple entities. As Ludwig highlights, it's frequently encountered in scientific, encyclopedic, and news-related contexts, making it a versatile phrase for describing diversity or inconsistency. While versatile, it is essential to clearly define the scope of the variation to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ranges from

Focuses on the span of values, rather than the difference among entities.

differs among

Highlights the distinctions among multiple items or categories.

fluctuates between

Emphasizes the back-and-forth movement between different states or values.

alters between

Suggests a change in state or condition, alternating between options.

is not consistent across

Indicates a lack of uniformity among different instances or groups.

is inconsistent among

Similar to "is not consistent across", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the lack of agreement.

shows differences among

Focuses on the presence of variations among different elements.

exhibits diversity across

Highlights the range of differences among the elements being considered.

is dissimilar among

Suggests a lack of resemblance among several items.

is distinguished among

Emphasizes that a clear distinction can be made among the items.

FAQs

How can I use "varies between" in a sentence?

Use "varies between" to indicate that something differs or fluctuates within a defined range or among distinct entities. For example: "The cost of living "differs among" cities".

What's an alternative to saying "varies between"?

Alternatives include phrases like "ranges from", ""differs among"", or "fluctuates between", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct: "varies between" or "varies among"?

"Varies between" is typically used when referring to two distinct items or limits, while "varies among" is more appropriate when referring to three or more items or a general group. The choice depends on the specific context.

How does "varies between" differ from "is different from"?

"Varies between" suggests a range or fluctuation, while "is different from" simply indicates a distinction. For instance, "The color "is different from" the sample" points out a difference, but "The color varies between shades of blue and green" implies a range of color.