vary

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'vary' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that something is not constant or changes in amount or degree. For example, "The prices vary depending on the season."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Pay scales for doctors and dentists are different to the rest of the NHS, and vary according to which country they work in – England, Wales or Scotland.

The Guardian

Doctors vary in the length of antibiotic regimes they prescribe, with five-day courses for urinary tract infection still being used even though the evidence shows that two to three days is sufficient for an uncomplicated infection.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Materials," it continues, "can vary from a more generic render (which can be plain or coloured to give variety), or locally found materials or bricks can be used".

The Guardian - Arts

Rather than always being news headlines however, the content itself would vary over the day depending on context and history to ensure the reader always gets something fresh and worthwhile.

The Guardian

The NRC also cautioned that data collection can vary from country to country, which can affect their estimates.

The Guardian

Normal delivery charges: They vary depending on time, day and availability, but range from nothing to £6.99.

The Guardian - Money

Chris Murray highlights what he calls the "important difference" between the retention of local taxes and full devolution that would allow the city regions to vary tax rates.

The Guardian

How do credit ratings vary by country and by ratings agencies?

The Guardian

For values in between the sine and cosine vary in a smooth curve, so that a plot of sin x against x is your basic wavy line.

WikiHow

The proposed £23,000 total benefit limit could vary in different parts of the country, with Londoners receiving the top amount because of the higher cost of living in the capital.

The Guardian

Details of how to apply vary and are detailed in the application process relating to that specific Guardian Masterclass.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "vary", ensure that you specify what is varying and what factors influence the variation. For example, "Prices vary depending on the season" is clearer than just "Prices vary".

Common error

Avoid using "vary" without providing context or specifics about what is changing and the factors influencing the change. Being too vague can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The word "vary" functions primarily as an intransitive verb, indicating a state of changing or differing. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in describing fluctuations, differences, and modifications. For example, "Prices vary depending on the season."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Lifestyle

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "vary" is a versatile verb used to express that something changes, differs, or fluctuates. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts. Its usage spans from neutral to formal, appearing frequently in News & Media, Lifestyle, and Wiki sources. When using "vary", it's important to specify what is changing and the factors influencing the change to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "differ", "change", and "fluctuate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differ

Emphasizes the existence of differences between things.

change

Highlights the act of becoming different over time.

fluctuate

Suggests irregular variation in number or amount.

diverge

Focuses on moving in different directions or differing from a standard.

deviate

Implies departing from an established course or norm.

range

Indicates the extent of possible variation.

alternate

Suggests a regular pattern of changing between two things.

modify

Focuses on making changes to something.

transform

Implies a significant change in form or appearance.

evolve

Suggests gradual development or change over time.

FAQs

How can I use "vary" in a sentence?

You can use "vary" to indicate that something changes or differs. For example, "The ingredients in the recipe "can vary" depending on what you have available".

What's the difference between "vary" and "differ"?

"Vary" implies a change or fluctuation, while "differ" simply indicates a difference between things. "The colors of the leaves vary throughout the autumn" (change), versus "The colors of the leaves differ between species" (difference).

What are some alternatives to the word "vary"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "differ", "fluctuate", "change", or "range" as alternatives to "vary".

Is it correct to say "the results are vary"?

No, it is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "the results "vary"". "Vary" is a verb, and in this context, it needs to agree with the subject "results", which is plural.