What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
discrepancy
Example
There was a discrepancy between the amount of money in the register and the sales receipts. [discrepancy: noun]
Example
The witness's testimony had discrepancies with the security footage. [discrepancies: plural noun]
variation
Example
There is a wide variation in the colors of the flowers in this garden. [variation: noun]
Example
The recipe allows for some variation in the amount of spices used. [variation: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Variation is more commonly used than discrepancy in everyday language. Variation is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while discrepancy is more technical and often used in formal or specialized contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between discrepancy and variation?
Discrepancy is typically associated with a formal and technical tone, while variation can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
