varying widely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "varying widely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where there is a significant range of differences or variations in a particular context. Example: "The results of the survey showed that opinions on the matter were varying widely among the participants."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But rainfall is erratic, varying widely from year to year.

Britannica

With income varying widely among countries, that would be hard.

The Economist

To be sure, PCOS is hard to diagnose, with symptoms varying widely.

The New York Times - Health

Authoritative information about the biochar industry is scarce, with attempts to quantify the market varying widely.

The Guardian

The groups represented here include faculty and staff organizations varying widely in type and aim.

Columbia University

But the Twitter messaging has continued, causing little notable disruption and varying widely in content.

The New York Times

Over half of councils in England have cut or frozen their CAMHS budgets since 2010, according to Young Minds, with services varying widely across the country.

The Guardian

These emerging directors are not one homogeneous mass; they are independent voices varying widely in age, social and economic background and experience.

The Guardian

Though educational outcomes have improved citywide, the wholesale move to charter schools remains a topic of fierce debate, with results varying widely between neighbourhoods.

The Guardian

The study concludes that low-skilled migration has only a "small negative impact" on the wages of the low paid, with effects varying widely between areas.

The Guardian

Arc discharges and electron impact produce negative ions, although at rates varying widely according to the construction and mode of operation.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "varying widely", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being compared and the basis for the variation. This provides clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "varying widely" without specifying the parameters of the variation. For example, instead of saying "results varied widely", specify "results varied widely by region and demographic."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "varying widely" functions as an adverbial modifier, typically describing the extent or manner in which something differs. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

41%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "varying widely" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate significant differences or a broad range within a given context. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across diverse sources. Predominantly found in science and news media, it serves to communicate substantial variation. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is being compared and the basis of the variation. Alternatives like "differing greatly" or "fluctuating significantly" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the intended emphasis. The phrase is suitable for formal, neutral, and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differing greatly

Emphasizes the magnitude of the difference between items.

fluctuating significantly

Highlights the changing or unstable nature of something.

ranging considerably

Focuses on the span or extent of the variation.

differing considerably

Highlights a notable degree of dissimilarity.

diverging substantially

Emphasizes a split or deviation leading to significant differences.

exhibiting heterogeneity

Highlights the diversity or lack of uniformity within a group.

manifesting disparities

Emphasizes the unequal or distinct nature of the items being compared.

displaying a spectrum

Suggests a continuous range of variations.

showing a broad range

Highlights that the variance is extensive.

contrasting sharply

Emphasizes strong differences when comparing to each other.

FAQs

How can I use "varying widely" in a sentence?

"Varying widely" indicates a significant range of differences. For example, "The test scores were "varying widely" among the students" shows that students achieved very different scores.

What are some alternatives to "varying widely"?

You can use alternatives such as "differing greatly", "fluctuating significantly", or "ranging considerably" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "varying widely" or "varying greatly"?

Both ""varying widely"" and "varying greatly" are correct, but ""varying widely"" emphasizes the breadth of the difference, whereas "varying greatly" emphasizes the magnitude of the difference.

What does it mean when results are "varying widely" in a study?

It means that the outcomes or data points are not consistent and show a broad range of values or characteristics across the sample population or different conditions.