vary much

USAGE SUMMARY

'vary much' is not correct.
You would need to use the phrase 'very much' instead. For example: I appreciate your help very much.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The ideas don't vary much.

The New York Times - Arts

Temperatures do not vary much throughout the country.

Britannica

The cafeteria is open, but the menu doesn't vary much.

The Washington Post

The patterns do not vary much with the threshold used.

Princeton University

This relation did not vary much at depth.

Geoderma

We know the storylines, which never vary much.

Independent

All the numbers are different, but are not supposed to vary much.

The New York Times

The rituals never vary much among the fraternity of the dust trade.

The New York Times - Arts

There's too much to choose from, though the set lists don't vary much.

The New Yorker

"If you cut it to two, the minutes you play the starters wouldn't vary much.

The New York Times - Sports

The incidence of terror attacks in the world - about 300 a year - does not vary much.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the incorrect phrase "vary much", consider using "vary greatly" or "vary significantly" for better grammatical accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "much" directly after verbs like "vary". Use adverbs like "greatly", "significantly", or "considerably" to modify the verb and ensure correct grammar.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vary much" functions as a verb modifier, attempting to indicate the degree to which something changes. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically incorrect. A more appropriate phrasing would involve using adverbs like "greatly" or "significantly".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "vary much" is commonly used but grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests using alternatives like "vary greatly" or "vary significantly" to accurately convey the extent of variation. While examples can be found across various contexts, including science, news, and formal writing, it's best to opt for grammatically correct alternatives, especially in formal or scientific settings. The phrase attempts to express the degree of variation, but better word choices enhance clarity and grammatical correctness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vary significantly

Emphasizes a large degree of difference or change.

differ considerably

Highlights a noticeable level of dissimilarity.

change substantially

Focuses on a significant transformation or alteration.

fluctuate greatly

Suggests irregular shifts or oscillations.

diverge widely

Implies a considerable separation or deviation.

oscillate noticeably

Points to a clear and perceptible back-and-forth movement.

shift markedly

Highlights a distinct and evident change in position or direction.

evolve distinctly

Emphasizes a unique and clear development or progression.

transform radically

Suggests a fundamental and complete change.

alternate irregularly

Implies an inconsistent pattern of switching between options.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "vary much"?

The phrase "vary much" is grammatically incorrect. You can correct it by using alternatives like "vary greatly", "vary significantly", or "vary considerably".

Is it ever correct to use "much" with the verb "vary"?

No, it's not grammatically correct to directly follow the verb "vary" with "much". Use adverbs such as "greatly", "significantly", or "considerably" instead.

What are some formal alternatives to "vary much"?

For formal contexts, consider using phrases like "differ substantially", "diverge widely", or "fluctuate markedly" as more grammatically sound alternatives to "vary much".

Which is more appropriate, "vary much" or "vary very much"?

Neither "vary much" nor "vary very much" are grammatically correct. It's best to use adverbs like "greatly" or "significantly". For example, "The results "vary greatly"" is correct.