which varies from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which varies from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you are talking about something that is not a fixed quantity or value. For example, "The temperature of the oceans varies from warm tropical climates to icy polar regions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

It involves perception, which varies from one individual to the next.

The New York Times - Arts

They offer a preferential rate of interest, which varies from bank to bank.

The Guardian - Money

The range, which varies from person to person, is determined by genes and life experience.

The New York Times

A mozzarella-maker of talent and experience has a feel for the curd, which varies from batch to batch.

The New Yorker

On the tasting menu, which varies from night to night, innovative, delightful, and just plain weird touches abound.

The New Yorker

Less good news is that 43% overestimate the period (which varies from country to country) during which shops will continue to accept old money.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Workshops, which vary from one to three days, cost $200.

The New York Times

The book's design mimics the look of the originals, which varied from brash to stylish.

The Guardian - Sport

Finally, there's the 'uncommon common infected' which vary from scenario to scenario.

Independent

These produce a range of effects which vary from the psychedelic to the catatonic.

The Guardian - Opinion

Spirits aren't like wines, which vary from vintage to vintage and evolve over time.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which varies from", ensure that the 'which' clause clearly refers to a specific noun. Avoid ambiguity by placing the clause close to the noun it modifies.

Common error

Avoid separating "which varies from" too far from the noun it modifies. This can cause confusion about what is actually varying. For example, instead of 'The data, which varies from year to year, was collected', write 'The data, which varies from year to year, were collected'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which varies from" functions as a relative clause, modifying a preceding noun or noun phrase. It introduces information that describes a characteristic of the noun, specifically indicating that the characteristic is not fixed but changes or differs in some way. Ludwig AI confirms this use through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which varies from" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to introduce relative clauses that specify how something changes or differs. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's primarily used in neutral contexts, particularly in news and media, to provide additional details about a noun's variable attributes. To ensure clarity, place the phrase close to the noun it modifies. For alternatives, consider using "that differs from" or "that ranges from" to convey similar meanings. Overall, "which varies from" is a reliable way to convey variability in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that differs from

Changes the relative pronoun from 'which' to 'that' and uses the verb 'differs' instead of 'varies'.

that changes from

Replaces 'varies' with 'changes', focusing on the transformation aspect.

that ranges from

Replaces 'varies' with 'ranges', emphasizing the scope of possible values.

that diverges from

Emphasizes the act of moving in a different direction.

that is distinct from

Uses 'is distinct' to highlight the difference between items.

which deviates from

Similar to diverges, but can imply moving away from a standard or norm.

which is not the same as

Emphasizes the inequality between the two items, instead of the variation.

that is unlike

Uses 'is unlike' for a more direct comparison of dissimilarity.

that fluctuates from

Specifies a back-and-forth alteration between values.

which is in contrast to

Highlights a direct opposition or divergence.

FAQs

How to use "which varies from" in a sentence?

Use "which varies from" to introduce a relative clause that describes how something differs or changes in relation to something else. For example: "The cost, which varies from city to city, can be substantial."

What can I say instead of "which varies from"?

You can use alternatives like "that differs from", "that ranges from", or "which is different from" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "that varies from" instead of "which varies from"?

Yes, "that varies from" is also correct and commonly used, especially in restrictive relative clauses. The choice between "that" and "which" often depends on stylistic preference and the specific context.

What's the difference between "which varies from" and "which depends on"?

"Which varies from" indicates that something changes or differs across instances, while "which depends on" indicates that something is contingent on or determined by another factor. The phrases are not interchangeable, as they express different relationships.