What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
vary
Example
The prices of houses in the city vary depending on the location. [vary: verb]
Example
The opinions of the students varied greatly on the topic. [varied: adjective]
Example
There is a wide variety of fruits and vegetables at the market. [variety: noun]
diverge
Example
The two roads diverged in the woods, and we took the one less traveled. [diverged: past tense]
Example
His opinion diverged from the rest of the group, causing a heated discussion. [diverged: verb]
Example
The two paintings diverge in style and technique. [diverge: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Vary is more commonly used than diverge in everyday language. Vary is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while diverge is more specific and often used in academic or professional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between vary and diverge?
Diverge is more formal than vary. It is often used in academic or professional settings to discuss ideas or opinions, while vary can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
