vast discrepancy

USAGE SUMMARY

"vast discrepancy" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a large difference or discrepancy between two or more things. For example, "The vast discrepancy between the size of death sentences handed down in wealthy neighborhoods compared to poorer neighborhoods is both alarming and indicative of systemic bias."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Industry analysts say the vast discrepancy in taxes on cigarettes in Europe makes the Continent an easy target for smugglers.

The New York Times

The therapists all categorized their relationships with the residents and with each other to be respectful and cordial, despite the sometimes vast discrepancy in rents.

The New York Times

The explanation lies in a vast discrepancy between the number of permits issued in recent years and the amount of available parking space.

The New York Times

Interestingly, the main source of the vast discrepancy between the two figures is not a disagreement about the future damages of warming.

The New York Times

The fascist leader extended every courtesy and they returned the favor – "Mussolini was much admired in Hollywood," Brownlow writes – until the dictator learned of the vast discrepancy between pay rates for Hollywood stagehands and his country's own carpenters.

The Guardian - Film

Analysis of Home Office figures on the fees for applications shows a vast discrepancy between how much it costs the government to process each immigration application and the fee it charges applicants.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Tackling the vast discrepancies in power, wealth and security between the sexes is no small task and where to start must be headache-inducing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Despite the vast discrepancies between, say, Iceland and Pakistan, the WEF stresses that no country has fully closed the gender gap.

The Washington Post

The study also reveals vast discrepancies in the use of the death penalty by different states, recalling the sort of caprice the Supreme Court criticized when it halted the death penalty in 1972.

The New York Times

But given the vast discrepancies in wealth – often based on race – caused by apartheid and the fact that many citizens did not have access to basic services at the dawn of democracy, the drafters of the constitution believed that it was imperative to include not only traditional civil and political rights in the constitution, but also justiciable social and economic rights.

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead, the members found vast discrepancies between life for the school's 600 white Afrikaans-speaking students, many of whom come from faraway farms and live at the school, and life for the 140 English-speaking black students, most of whom commute from the nearby black township.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vast discrepancy" to emphasize the significance of a difference, especially when discussing inequalities or unexpected results.

Common error

Avoid using "vast discrepancy" for minor differences. Reserve it for situations where the disparity is truly substantial and impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vast discrepancy" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "vast" modifies the noun "discrepancy", emphasizing the large extent of the difference. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "vast discrepancy" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to denote a significant difference or inconsistency. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its use is correct and applicable across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal writing. While alternatives like "significant difference" or "substantial variance" exist, "vast discrepancy" carries a particular weight, emphasizing the scale of the difference. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly establishes the items being compared and the implications of their disparity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant difference

Emphasizes the notable difference between two or more things.

substantial variance

Focuses on the degree of deviation or difference.

considerable gap

Highlights the space or interval between two points or values.

marked contrast

Stresses the distinct and noticeable dissimilarity.

huge disparity

Emphasizes the inequality or disproportion between elements.

wide divergence

Focuses on the act of splitting off or differing.

major inconsistency

Highlights the lack of agreement or coherence.

pronounced imbalance

Emphasizes the lack of balance or proportion.

extreme divergence

Stresses that the act of splitting off or differing is beyond usual, normal, or acceptable limit.

striking difference

Highlights that the difference is drawing special attention or admiration.

FAQs

How can I use "vast discrepancy" in a sentence?

Use "vast discrepancy" to highlight a significant difference between two measurable or observable things. For example: "There is a "vast discrepancy" between the salaries of CEOs and their employees."

What are some alternatives to "vast discrepancy"?

Alternatives include "significant difference", "substantial variance", or "considerable gap", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "huge discrepancy" instead of "vast discrepancy"?

Yes, "huge discrepancy" is also correct and conveys a similar meaning. However, "vast discrepancy" might sound more formal or impactful in certain contexts.

What is the difference between "vast discrepancy" and "slight discrepancy"?

"Vast discrepancy" indicates a very large difference, whereas "slight discrepancy" implies a small or minor difference. The choice depends on the actual scale of the difference you are describing.