vary substantially

USAGE SUMMARY

"vary substantially" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which there are significant differences in size, amount, or degree. For example: "Projected earnings this year vary substantially from last year's earnings."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Seasonal variations also can vary substantially.

The New York Times

The developments vary substantially in size.

The New York Times

Self-help tools vary substantially in performance.

Stanford University

The results can vary substantially depending on the starting point.

The New York Times

The histology and clinical behavior of ampullary tumors vary substantially.

Journal of the American College of Surgeons

Many use cross-sectional designs and the methods vary substantially.

Journal of Sport and Health Science

The subprime lenders are largely regulated by the states, whose laws can vary substantially.

The New York Times

The types of degree offerings vary substantially, but the list continues to grow.

Nature

The frequency and severity of such penalties vary substantially by state.

The New York Times

The consequences of missing a deadline vary substantially, and people can respond to them very differently.

The Guardian

Interestingly, estimates of the t0 parameter (the estimated time of growth commencement) vary substantially between species.

Nature

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vary substantially" when you want to emphasize a significant degree of difference between items, results, or conditions. Ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared.

Common error

Avoid using "vary substantially" without clearly defining what elements are varying and the context in which they differ. Without this, the statement lacks precision and can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vary substantially" functions as a verb phrase complemented by an adverb, indicating a significant degree of difference or change. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "vary substantially" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to denote significant differences across a range of contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for professional, academic, scientific, and news-related communication. The phrase is particularly common in scientific and news contexts, indicating its utility in conveying noteworthy variations. When using "vary substantially", ensure that the elements being compared are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases such as "differ significantly" or "change significantly" can provide stylistic variation while maintaining a similar level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differ significantly

Replaces "vary" with "differ" and "substantially" with "significantly", maintaining a similar level of formality and impact.

differ considerably

Replaces "vary" with "differ" and "substantially" with "considerably", offering a slightly less formal tone.

change significantly

Substitutes "vary" with "change", emphasizing the aspect of transformation or alteration.

differ markedly

Emphasizes the noticeable extent of the differences, using a more formal tone.

fluctuate greatly

Highlights the aspect of oscillation or wavering, implying irregular variations.

diverge significantly

Suggests a branching out or moving in different directions, with notable differences.

show considerable variation

Rephrases the idea to focus on the existence of a large degree of variation.

are markedly different

Shifts the focus to the resulting state of being different in a noticeable way.

exhibit significant differences

Highlights the presentation or display of notable differences.

contrast sharply

Emphasizes the pronounced difference when comparing two or more things.

FAQs

What does "vary substantially" mean?

The phrase "vary substantially" means to differ to a considerable degree or extent. It indicates significant differences between items, results, or conditions.

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

You can use "vary substantially" to describe significant differences. For example: "The costs of the project "vary substantially" depending on the materials used."

What are some alternatives to "vary substantially"?

Some alternatives to "vary substantially" include phrases like "differ significantly", "change significantly", or "differ considerably".

Is it more formal to say "vary substantially" or "differ significantly"?

"Vary substantially" and "differ significantly" are both considered formal. The choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.