vary from

USAGE SUMMARY

'vary from' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use 'vary from' when you want to emphasize that something varies in a certain way, or that it changes depending on the context. For example, "The cost of items in this store will vary from item to item."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Prices vary from other cities).

The New York Times

Body types vary from skinny to rotund.

The New York Times - Arts

The issues vary from country to country.

The New York Times

The misconceptions vary from person-to-person.

The New York Times

Rules vary from state to state.

The New York Times - Sports

"But temperaments vary from person to person.

The New York Times

Reactions vary from amusement to alarm.

The New York Times

Pulse rates vary from person to person.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Prices vary from cemetery to cemetery.

The New York Times

Goals vary from level to level.

The New York Times - Arts

Leases vary from place to place.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "vary from", ensure that you clearly specify the entities or aspects that are differing. For instance, instead of just saying "prices vary", specify "prices vary from store to store".

Common error

Avoid using "vary from" without providing context for the comparison. Saying "results vary" is vague. Instead, clarify: "results vary depending on the method used".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vary from" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that something differs or changes in relation to something else. Ludwig's examples show how it connects subjects with their diverse characteristics or conditions. It suggests a range of possibilities or differences that exist.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

7%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vary from" is a versatile phrase used to indicate differences or deviations between entities. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including news, encyclopedias and wikis. When employing "vary from", ensure clarity by specifying the differing aspects, and avoid vague comparisons. Alternatives such as "differ from" and "diverge from" can offer subtle nuances in meaning. Understanding these nuances will help you choose the most precise language for your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differ from

Indicates a distinct dissimilarity between two or more things.

is different from

A more direct and simple way of stating a difference.

diverge from

Suggests a gradual moving apart or deviation, often implying a change over time.

deviate from

Emphasizes a departure from an established norm, standard, or expectation.

contrast with

Highlights the differences when comparing two or more things.

range from

Highlights the extent of variation within a set of values or possibilities.

fluctuate between

Implies an irregular rising and falling or a back-and-forth movement between different points.

change from

Indicates a transformation or alteration from one state or condition to another.

show variance from

Formally indicates the degree to which something is variable.

exhibit differences from

Emphasizes that differences are visible or noticeable.

FAQs

How to use "vary from" in a sentence?

You can use "vary from" to indicate differences between things, such as "The rules "vary from state to state"" or "Salaries "vary from company to company"".

What is a simple alternative to "vary from"?

A simple alternative to "vary from" is "differ from". For example, instead of "The ingredients vary from recipe to recipe", you could say "The ingredients differ from recipe to recipe".

Is it correct to say "vary between" instead of "vary from"?

While "vary between" is also correct, it's typically used when discussing differences among multiple items or categories. "Vary from" can be used for differences between two or more things but it highlights the deviation or distinction from a reference point or standard. In the phrase "prices "vary from store to store"", you could also say "prices vary between stores".

What's the difference between "vary from" and "deviate from"?

"Vary from" generally indicates a difference or range of differences. "Deviate from" suggests a departure from an established norm, standard, or expected course. So, while all that deviate from a standard "vary from" it, not all that "vary from" a standard deviate from it.