vary in length

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vary in length" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used any time the length of something needs to be mentioned. For example: "The answers provided by the students to this question varied in length."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Panels vary in length from 6 feet to 16 feet.

The New York Times

Panels vary in length from 6 to 16 feet.

The New York Times

However, individual life cycles vary in length and complexity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The planks vary in length from 15 to 27 feet.

The New York Times

(Chapters vary in length from about two to eight minutes).

The New York Times - Arts

β-MSH and γ-MSH vary in length and sequence.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the poet's library, the tubes are all four inches in diameter but vary in length.

The New York Times - Magazine

Prices vary according to income and stays can vary in length.

The Guardian - Travel

Playoff matches usually were followed by five-minute periods, although they could vary in length.

The Guardian - Sport

The adaptations vary in length, but none are more than 30 pages.

The New York Times - Books

The edX courses, like those offered by Coursera, will vary in length.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "vary in length", ensure the subject you are referring to is plural or collective to logically support the concept of variation. For instance, instead of "The rope vary in length", use "The ropes vary in length".

Common error

A common mistake is using "vary in length" with a singular subject. Always ensure the subject is plural to match the sense of variation. For example, avoid saying "The chapter vary in length"; instead, say "The chapters vary in length".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vary in length" functions as a descriptive element, typically used to specify that a group of items or entities do not have a uniform length. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vary in length" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to describe items or entities that do not have a uniform length. As demonstrated by the examples provided by Ludwig, it is commonly used in news, encyclopedias and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement and consider alternatives like "differ in length" to add nuance. The phrase is applicable in diverse scenarios, making it a valuable addition to your writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have varying lengths

Modifies the sentence structure to use "varying" as an adjective.

differ in length

Changes the verb "vary" to "differ", emphasizing the difference in length rather than the act of varying.

are of different lengths

States directly that the lengths are not the same.

range in length

Replaces "vary" with "range", highlighting the extent of possible lengths.

change in length

A more direct way of saying that the length is not constant.

fluctuate in length

Suggests that the length changes irregularly or repeatedly.

show differences in length

A straightforward alternative that emphasizes the observable differences in length.

exhibit variations in length

More formal and emphasizes the existence of different lengths.

display a range of lengths

Highlights a spectrum or array of different lengths that can be observed.

demonstrate length differences

Focuses on showing the existing differences in length between items.

FAQs

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

You can use "vary in length" to describe items or entities that have different lengths. For example: "The chapters in the book "vary in length"" or "The pieces of string "vary in length"".

What is a simple substitute for "vary in length"?

A simpler substitute for "vary in length" is "differ in length". It conveys the same meaning with a more direct wording.

Is it correct to say "varies in length"?

No, "varies in length" is grammatically incorrect when referring to multiple items or a general characteristic. The correct form is ""vary in length"", using the plural verb form.

What's the difference between "range in length" and "vary in length"?

"Range in length" emphasizes the scope of possible lengths, while ""vary in length"" focuses on the fact that lengths are not uniform. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the spectrum or the differences.