vary in size

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "vary in size" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that two or more items have different sizes. For example, "The dolls in the shop varied in size from 3 inches to 8 inches."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Skates vary in size.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And they vary in size.

The New York Times

Mas camps vary in size.

The Guardian - Travel

Stellar associations vary in size but tend to be large.

Encyclopedia Britannica

One obvious problem is that studies vary in size and quality.

The Guardian

The Prime Retail outlet malls, which operate under the name Prime Outlets, vary in size.

The New York Times

Boards vary in size but typically range from a half-dozen to a dozen members.

The New York Times

The galleries in the new building vary in size much more than the old.

The Guardian - Arts

Live Sites vary in size, scale and geographical location and in their objectives.

The Guardian

Screens vary in size but can go up to about 18".

The Guardian - Money

Of course, they vary in size, quality, regularity and the rest, but it makes you think.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a collection of items, use "vary in size" to clearly communicate that the items are not all the same dimensionally. For example, "The pebbles on the beach varied in size, from tiny grains to small stones."

Common error

Avoid using "vary in size" when the context already implies differences in dimension. For example, instead of saying "The assorted candies vary in size and shape", consider simplifying it to "The assorted candies vary in shape" if size variation is obvious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vary in size" functions as a verb phrase indicating that different items within a group have different dimensions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability, as seen in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

34%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vary in size" is a common and grammatically sound way to express differences in the dimensions of multiple items. According to Ludwig AI, it is applicable across a variety of contexts, including news media, science, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "differ in dimensions" or "range in magnitude" exist, "vary in size" provides a clear and straightforward way to communicate dimensional diversity. When using the phrase, ensure that it aligns with the subject-verb agreement and avoid redundancy by considering the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differ in dimensions

Focuses on the dimensional aspect of the difference, which is a more specific term than general size.

have varying dimensions

Similar to "differ in dimensions", but uses the word "varying" to indicate the presence of multiple dimensions.

come in different sizes

A common and straightforward way to indicate that items are available in multiple sizes.

range in magnitude

Implies a spectrum of sizes, often used when referring to numerical or measurable values.

are not uniform in size

States directly that items do not have the same size, emphasizing the lack of uniformity.

show size variation

Highlights the existence of variation in size among a group of items.

display a range of sizes

Similar to "range in magnitude", but focuses on the visual display of different sizes.

present size diversity

Highlights the diversity in sizes, implying a wide range of different sizes.

exhibit dimensional differences

More formal and technical, emphasizing the presence of differences in dimensions.

scale differently

Emphasizes the different scales at which items exist, implying size differences.

FAQs

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

You can use "vary in size" to describe a group of items that are not uniform in their dimensions. For example, "The apples in the basket "vary in size", some are large and some are small."

What's a more formal way to say "vary in size"?

In formal contexts, you might use phrases like "differ in dimensions" or "exhibit dimensional differences" to convey a similar meaning with a more technical tone.

Is it correct to say "varies in size" instead of "vary in size"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "varies in size" for singular subjects (e.g., "Each cookie varies in size") and "vary in size" for plural subjects (e.g., "The cookies "vary in size"").

What are some alternatives to "vary in size"?

Some alternatives include "come in different sizes", "range in magnitude", or "are not uniform in size", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.