varies over time

USAGE SUMMARY

"varies over time" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation where something changes or fluctuates over a long period of time. For example, "The average temperature of the ocean varies over time due to natural cycles."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The connectivity between groups also varies over time as a function of market conditions.

The Economist

However, it actually varies over time in this region.

Earth, Planets and Space

Traffic stochastically varies over time as well as location.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The gain applied to the signal varies over time according to a fading distribution.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Time-varying graphs are graphs whose structure varies over time.

Computational Social Networks

The declination in a given location varies over time.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is a static approach, ignoring how demand for each shipyard's differentiated products varies over time.

The Economist

This is because the distance between the SDO spacecraft and the sun varies over time".

Independent

Because income often varies over time, eligibility would have to be redetermined repeatedly.

The New York Times

Local air quality typically varies over time because of the effect of weather patterns.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We're chewing out: Is it a risk premium that varies over time, or is it psychological variation?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "varies over time", ensure the context clearly indicates what factor is subject to change and the timeframe involved. For example, specify if it's daily, monthly, or annually.

Common error

Avoid using "varies over time" without clearly stating what is changing. For example, instead of saying "The process varies over time", specify "The efficiency of the process varies over time depending on environmental conditions".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "varies over time" primarily functions as a verb phrase modifying a subject by indicating how its characteristics or state changes across a period. Ludwig provides numerous examples in different contexts that show the usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "varies over time" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate temporal change or fluctuation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. The phrase is used across various fields, including science, news, and encyclopedias, to describe phenomena that do not remain constant. While it is generally neutral in tone, its occurrence is more prominent in formal, descriptive contexts. When using "varies over time", ensure clarity by explicitly stating what subject is changing. Consider alternatives like ""changes with time"" or "fluctuates across time" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

changes with time

Replaces "varies" with "changes" while keeping the core meaning of temporal alteration.

fluctuates across time

Substitutes "varies" with "fluctuates", emphasizing irregular swings or oscillations.

evolves through time

Emphasizes a gradual development or transformation over a period.

shifts across the timeline

Uses "shifts" to describe a change in position or state, and "timeline" to indicate the temporal dimension.

alters in due course

This alternative replaces "varies" with "alters" and "over time" with "in due course", indicating change as time passes.

is not constant

This alternative offers a more direct negation of consistency, implying variation over time.

displays temporal variation

Uses a more formal and technical phrasing, highlighting the existence of variation related to time.

shows changes through the ages

Indicates that the changes occur over a very long period.

modifies with the passage of time

Replaces "varies" with modifies with the passage of time which is change as time passes.

undergoes temporal modifications

Highlights the fact that modifications are relative to time.

FAQs

What does "varies over time" mean?

The phrase "varies over time" means that something changes or fluctuates across a period, rather than remaining constant. It indicates temporal variation.

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

You can use "varies over time" to describe any phenomenon that isn't static. For example, "The demand for electricity "changes with time"" or "The cost of living "is not constant"".

What are some alternatives to "varies over time"?

Alternatives include phrases like ""changes with time"", "fluctuates across time", or "evolves through time", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say something "varies over time"?

While "varies" inherently implies change, adding "over time" emphasizes that the variation occurs across a temporal dimension, clarifying that the change isn't spatial or related to another factor.