widely different from

USAGE SUMMARY

"widely different from" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to two things that are fundamentally dissimilar in some way. For example, "The two candidates have vastly different political credentials, with one candidate's views being widely different from the other's."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

The zonal disintegration phenomena in deep rock mass will appear with the increase of underground engineering depth which is widely different from shallow cavern.

International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences

The assemblage from Jaksice II site is widely different from the assemblage recovered in Kraków Spadzista, only 40 km away, and dated to the same period.

Quaternary International

"The feelings of the person who wrote, and the person who received it," Lizzy says, "are now so widely different from what they were then, that every unpleasant circumstance attending it must be forgotten".

The New Yorker

The linguistic philosophers considered here are the grammarians led by Bhartrihari (7th century ce) and Mandana-Mishra (8th century ce); the latter, reputed to be a disciple of Kumarila, held views widely different from the Mimamsakas.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The modeling results show that the different particle size distributions did not generally give kinetic behavior widely different from the uniform particle size case when an infinite bath was assumed.

Chemical Engineering Science

It's an ugly habit, but they have it". ROME, Feb. 27 - When the court trying seven Turks and Bulgarians accused of conspiring to assassinate Pope John Paul II retires next month to weigh the evidence presented by prosecution and defense, it will be following a set of rules widely different from those prevailing in United States criminal courts.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Commonly used algorithms for CNV detection from SNP arrays can produce widely different results from the same data because they differ both in the way reference samples are prepared and in their calling criteria [ 19, 26].

BMC Genomics

Undercutting tenacious assumptions about Jewish passivity or cooperation, Bauer surveys the widely different conditions from ghetto to ghetto, from council to council, showing us how the Jews behaved in the face of whatever options remained to them.

The New York Times - Books

The same diesel fuel can be used almost anywhere in any season, unlike gasoline, which has widely different specifications from region to region and from summer to winter.

The New York Times

Ways of mitigating gentrification, such as Sanders' efforts, can take place at widely different scales: from community organising to government policies to a shift away from valuing profit as the ultimate standard of success in urban development projects.

The Guardian

The incest taboo is acknowledged in anthropology as universal, although it is imposed differently in different societies and knowledge of its breach provokes widely different reactions from society to society.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "widely different from", ensure that the context clearly establishes the basis of comparison. For example, specify which characteristics or aspects are different to enhance clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "widely different from" when the differences are minor or nuanced. Using it for slight variations can weaken your argument and mislead the reader. Reserve it for truly substantial distinctions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "widely different from" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a high degree of dissimilarity. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its usage across diverse contexts to emphasize substantial differences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "widely different from" is a prepositional phrase used to express substantial dissimilarity between two or more entities. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and it's very common across various types of writing, including science, news, and encyclopedias. When using the phrase, be sure to establish a clear basis for comparison and reserve it for cases with genuinely significant distinctions. Consider alternatives like "significantly distinct from" for more nuanced expressions. Remember, while applicable in both formal and informal contexts, you may want to opt for a more formal alternative in highly academic or professional settings. Lastly, this phrase is frequently used across a variety of authoritative sources such as The New York Times and ScienceDirect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significantly distinct from

Emphasizes a notable level of distinction.

markedly dissimilar to

Highlights clear and noticeable differences.

substantially divergent from

Focuses on a major point of separation or deviation.

considerably contrasted with

Underscores a significant level of opposition or difference.

bears little resemblance to

Indicates a minimal level of similarity.

stands in stark contrast to

Highlights a very sharp and obvious difference.

differs sharply from

Emphasizes a sudden and distinct divergence.

contrasts greatly with

Stresses a high degree of opposition.

shows no commonality with

Indicates a complete lack of shared attributes.

bears no comparison to

Suggests that the items are so different they cannot be meaningfully compared.

FAQs

How can I use "widely different from" in a sentence?

Use "widely different from" to highlight substantial dissimilarities between two or more things. For example, "The climate in the north is "widely different from" that of the south."

What are some alternatives to "widely different from"?

You can use alternatives such as "significantly distinct from", "markedly dissimilar to", or "substantially divergent from" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a subtle difference between "different from" and "widely different from"?

"Different from" indicates a general dissimilarity, while "widely different from" emphasizes a significant and extensive contrast. The latter is used to highlight a more pronounced divergence.

Can "widely different from" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "widely different from" is appropriate in both formal and informal writing. However, consider the audience and purpose. More formal synonyms might be preferable in highly academic or professional contexts.