vary drastically

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vary drastically" is a perfectly grammatically correct phrase and is widely used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to emphasize that two things differ in a major way. For example, you could say, "The cost of living in New York City varies drastically from the cost of living in a small town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And within the nation, the report found, the cost and quality of care vary drastically.

The New York Times

Several independent Web sites can provide speed results, but the results can vary drastically.

The New York Times - Tech

Phobias may vary drastically in terms of their prevalence and severity, but they are rather more common than we realise.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, noted Robert Willens, a tax expert with Lehman Brothers, the tax treatment would vary drastically depending on the market price when the option was exercised.

The New York Times

This evidence has shown that schools' success can vary drastically even though their pupils are drawn from similar areas with similar problems.

The Economist

And restrictions on sublets — which can vary drastically — can be glossed over by buyers who may imagine, probably incorrectly, that they will live in their new apartment happily ever after.

The New York Times

Their success rates vary drastically — six major characters end up dead, another two in exile — but every one of these people is, at least, adept at concocting cynical aphorisms.

The New York Times - Books

The road a player faces in a tournament can vary drastically if he or she just misses being in a higher seeding echelon, as lower echelons are subject to playing more difficult opponents earlier in the tournament.

The New York Times

The latter, however, may vary drastically between countries.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

(We assumed for this exercise that other costs don't vary drastically from city to city).

Forbes

The communication needs of different WAP concepts can vary drastically [10].

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "vary drastically", consider specifying what factors cause this variation to provide context and clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "vary drastically" when the difference is only slight. Instead, use words like "differ slightly" or "vary marginally" to maintain accuracy and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vary drastically" functions as a verb phrase, typically modifying a subject to indicate the degree of difference or change. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct. Examples show it describing differences in costs, quality, success rates, and other quantifiable or qualitative aspects.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

38%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "vary drastically" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize substantial differences or changes. According to Ludwig, it is widely accepted in written English. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news media, science, and general writing, as evidenced by its frequent appearance in sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. When using this phrase, ensure that the difference being described is truly significant to maintain accuracy and impact. Avoid overusing it for minor variations, as this can dilute its effectiveness. Remember to specify the factors causing the drastic variation for better clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vary substantially

Expresses a significant difference, similar to "vary drastically" but with a slightly less intense connotation.

differ significantly

Focuses on the difference between items, emphasizing the magnitude of the variation.

fluctuate wildly

Highlights unpredictable and extreme changes over time.

change dramatically

Emphasizes a sudden and noticeable alteration.

diverge sharply

Indicates a separation or deviation that is abrupt and considerable.

vary considerably

Implies a noteworthy level of difference, without the extreme sense of "drastically".

contrast markedly

Focuses on the distinction between two things, highlighting their dissimilarity.

differ markedly

Similar to "contrast markedly", but places less focus on two specific entities.

deviate substantially

Indicates a departure from a standard or norm that is significant in scale.

differ greatly

Highlights a large difference between entities.

FAQs

How can I use "vary drastically" in a sentence?

You can use "vary drastically" to describe situations where differences are significant. For example: "The success rates of different treatments for the same disease can "vary substantially"."

What can I say instead of "vary drastically"?

You can use alternatives like "differ significantly", "change dramatically", or "fluctuate wildly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "vary drastically between" or "vary drastically among"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "vary drastically between" is typically used for comparing two distinct items or groups, while "vary drastically among" is used for three or more items or groups.

What's the difference between "vary drastically" and "vary slightly"?

"Vary drastically" indicates a large difference or change, while "vary slightly" suggests only a minor or subtle difference.