vary about

USAGE SUMMARY

'vary about' is not a correct or usable phrase in written English.
You can use the phrase 'vary from' or 'vary in' instead. For example, "The prices of the products vary from store to store."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Between the reference case (green line) and the medium case (blue line), the risks vary about 2-fold.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Opinions vary about the timing, of course.

The Guardian - Books

Theories vary about why more people appear to be cheating.

The New York Times - Health

Opinions vary about climate change on different time scales.

Earth-Science Reviews

The details can vary about how you score a victory.

The New York Times

In that area, Long Island Sound's tides vary about 11 feet from low to high.

The New York Times

Each league struggles to attract sponsorships, but opinions vary about whether the two should merge.

The New York Times - Sports

Opinions vary about what is and isn't offensive music (or music, for that matter).

The New York Times - Magazine

Projections vary about the likely success of this year's Black Friday and the days following.

The New York Times

Reports vary about how many people were killed – between 30 and 100.

The Guardian

Opinions still vary about whether the country ever had a singular identity to begin with.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "vary about" in formal writing. Instead, use "vary from" or "vary in" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Many writers incorrectly use "vary about" when they intend to convey the idea of something differing from something else or differing in some aspect. Always clarify the intended relationship with the correct preposition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vary about" functions as a verb phrase intended to express fluctuation or difference around a central point. However, Ludwig AI indicates that this construction is grammatically incorrect and suggests alternatives like "vary from" or "vary in".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "vary about" is frequently encountered across various sources, Ludwig AI flags it as grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning is to describe fluctuations or differences around a central theme, but more accurate alternatives like "vary from" or "vary in" should be preferred. This is especially important in formal writing to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity. Despite its prevalence in news and scientific articles, using grammatically sound phrases will improve the precision and credibility of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fluctuate around

Emphasizes the wavering movement around a central point, more dynamic than "vary".

show variation in

Highlights the existence of differences within a specific context or parameter.

deviate around

Highlights the departure from a standard or average, suggesting a more significant shift.

oscillate around

Suggests a rhythmic back-and-forth movement around a point, more specific than "vary".

fluctuate in relation to

Emphasizes the variation as it relates to a specific reference point or standard.

differ concerning

Focuses on differences regarding a specific topic, replacing the fluctuation aspect.

differ with respect to

Highlights the differences in specific areas, focusing on distinctions.

range approximately

Indicates a spread within certain limits, adding a sense of estimation.

diverge regarding

Focuses on differences of opinion or direction concerning a topic.

revolve around

Implies a central focus with variations orbiting it, less about direct difference.

FAQs

What's the correct way to express variation around a central point?

While "vary about" is commonly used, it's grammatically incorrect. Use phrases like "vary from" or "vary in" depending on the context.

Is it acceptable to use "vary about" in informal writing?

Although prevalent, "vary about" is not grammatically correct, even in informal contexts. It's best to opt for grammatically sound alternatives like "differ concerning" for clarity.

How can I avoid misusing prepositions with the word "vary"?

Pay close attention to the intended relationship. Use "vary from" when indicating differences between items and "vary in" when describing variations within a specific aspect or characteristic.

What are some professional alternatives to "vary about"?

In professional settings, use more precise alternatives such as "fluctuate around", "deviate around", or "show variation in" to maintain clarity and credibility.