- Do you ever wonder if you’re using “vary” correctly, or if there’s a more natural phrase?
- Are you unsure which words typically go with “vary” to sound like a native speaker?
- Have you struggled to express slight differences without repeating yourself?
Understanding collocations—words that naturally go together—is a superpower for English learners. It’s not just about knowing individual words; it’s about knowing how they interact. Mastering collocations with a versatile verb like “vary” will make your English sound more fluent, precise, and less like a direct translation, boosting your confidence and reducing language anxiety.
Common Collocations with VARY as a Verb
The word “vary” is almost exclusively used as a verb in modern English. Its primary meaning is to differ or to change within certain limits. Understanding how it partners with adverbs, prepositions, and specific nouns will significantly enhance your linguistic accuracy and naturalness.
Expressing Degree and Range of Difference
These collocations describe how much something differs or changes.
- Vary widely: To differ significantly or extensively.
- Example: The cost of living can vary widely from one city to another.
- Vary considerably/greatly/significantly: To change or differ to a large extent. These are strong adverbs emphasizing a substantial difference.
- Example: Production output can vary considerably depending on staff availability.
- Example: The results of the experiment did not vary greatly across different samples.
- Vary slightly: To differ by only a small amount.
- Example: The temperature might vary slightly throughout the day.
- Vary little/hardly at all: To show minimal or no difference.
- Example: Her opinion on the matter seemed to vary little over the years.
Describing Specific Aspects of Variation
These collocations specify what aspect is changing or differing.
- Vary in size/shape/colour/price/quality/amount: To have different measurements, forms, shades, costs, standards, or quantities.
- Example: The apples on the tree vary in size, from small to very large.
- Example: Housing prices can vary greatly in price even within the same neighborhood.
- Vary in nature: To differ in their fundamental characteristics or type.
- Example: The tasks assigned to employees may vary in nature, some requiring physical labor and others intellectual work.
Indicating Conditional Variation and Dependence
These collocations show that changes in one thing are linked to changes in another.
- Vary depending on (something): To change according to specific circumstances, conditions, or factors. This is a very common and essential collocation.
- Example: The speed limit can vary depending on the type of road.
- Example: Nutritional requirements vary depending on age, gender, and activity level.
- Vary with (something): To change in relation to or alongside something else.
- Example: Crop yields vary with the amount of rainfall.
- Example: Demand for ice cream tends to vary with the season.
- Vary from (something) to (something else): To show a range or spectrum between two points.
- Example: The attendance at the weekly meeting can vary from 10 to 25 people.
- Example: Opinions on the new policy vary from strong support to outright opposition.
Introducing Diversity or Making Changes
This usage of “vary” implies deliberately making things different to avoid monotony or improve something.
- Vary your routine/diet/methods/approach: To introduce changes to avoid boredom, improve effectiveness, or offer variety.
- Example: It’s good to vary your routine at the gym to challenge different muscle groups.
- Example: To keep students engaged, teachers often vary their teaching methods.
- Vary the pace: To change the speed or tempo of an activity.
- Example: During a long run, it’s beneficial to vary the pace to conserve energy.
Master Summary Table: Key Collocations with VARY
Here’s a quick reference for the most common and useful collocations with “vary”:
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| vary widely | Verb + Adverb | To differ significantly |
| vary considerably | Verb + Adverb | To differ by a large amount |
| vary slightly | Verb + Adverb | To differ by a small amount |
| vary in size/shape/quality | Verb + Preposition + Noun | To differ in a specific characteristic |
| vary depending on | Verb + Prepositional Phrase | To change according to conditions |
| vary with | Verb + Preposition | To change in relation to something else |
| vary from… to… | Verb + Prepositional Phrase | To show a range between two points |
| vary your routine/methods | Verb + Possessive Adjective + Noun | To introduce changes for diversity |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
Avoid these common pitfalls to make your English sound more natural when using “vary”.
| Do Not Say (Unnatural) | Say This Instead (Natural) |
|---|---|
| The prices are very changing. | The prices vary greatly. |
| The rules change according to the situation. | The rules vary depending on the situation. |
| Their opinions are different widely. | Their opinions vary widely. |
| You should make your exercises different. | You should vary your exercises. |
| The students are different in age. | The students vary in age. |
Subject: Project X Update – Regional Rollout
Hi Team,
Just a quick update on Project X. We’ve noticed that initial user engagement metrics vary widely across the different regions. Specifically, the response times for customer service issues vary considerably between our European and Asian hubs. This seems to vary depending on the specific local holidays and peak hours. To address this, we need to vary our approach to staffing, perhaps by implementing staggered shifts. We also observed that feedback quality can vary in nature, so we’re looking into standardizing our data collection methods. We’ll discuss how we can vary the pace of implementation in each region to optimize results during our next call.
Best regards,
Alex
Frequently Asked Questions about Vary Collocations
What’s the difference between “vary” and “change”?
“Change” is a broader term meaning to become different. “Vary” specifically implies a range or difference within a set of possibilities, often suggesting multiple possible states or values rather than a singular alteration. For example, “The weather changed” (it was sunny, now it’s rainy) versus “The weather can vary greatly in this region” (it can be sunny, rainy, or cloudy depending on the day).
Can “vary” be used with an object?
Yes, “vary” can be used transitively, meaning it takes a direct object, especially when you are deliberately introducing variety. For example: “You should vary your diet for better health,” or “Teachers often vary their methods to keep students engaged.” However, it is also very commonly used intransitively, as in “Prices vary widely.”
What prepositions are commonly used with “vary”?
The most common prepositions are “in,” “from,” and “with.” “Vary in” specifies the aspect of difference (e.g., “vary in size“). “Vary from…to…” indicates a range (e.g., “vary from 5 to 10″). “Vary with” shows dependence or correlation (e.g., “vary with the season”). Another crucial phrase is “vary depending on,” which acts similarly to “vary with” but is often more explicit about the condition.
What is the noun form of “vary”?
The primary noun form related to “vary” is “variation” (e.g., “a slight variation in temperature”). “Variety” is also a related noun, referring to a diverse range of things or options (e.g., “a wide variety of products”). While “vary” is a verb, these nouns capture the concept of difference or diversity.
Is “vary” more common in formal or informal English?
“Vary” is quite versatile and appears in both formal and informal contexts. However, its usage often lends a slightly more formal or precise tone than simpler verbs like “change” or “differ.” It’s very common in academic writing, business reports, and scientific descriptions, but also used naturally in everyday conversation when discussing ranges or differences.
What about 'vary in' something? For example, 'The samples vary in size.' Is that correct and common?
Absolutely, Maria! 'Vary in' is another extremely common and correct collocation. Your example, 'The samples vary in size,' is perfect. It's used to specify the aspect or characteristic that is different among a group of items. Other great examples include 'They vary in color' or 'The dishes vary in spice level.' You're doing a fantastic job identifying these patterns!
The examples are really clear. I'm going to try to incorporate 'vary considerably' into my next report.
That's an excellent goal, Oliver! Actively trying to use new collocations in your own writing is the best way to make them stick. We're confident 'vary considerably' will add great precision to your reports. Good luck!
I never really thought about how important adverbs are with 'vary'. This is a real eye-opener for precise language.
Are there any common misuses of 'vary' that English learners should avoid? For example, using it as a noun instead of 'variation'?
That's a very astute point, Hiroshi! Yes, a common mistake is indeed using 'vary' (the verb) where 'variation' (the noun) or 'various' (the adjective) is needed. For example, saying 'There is a vary in prices' instead of 'There is a variation in prices.' Also, using it without an adverb or preposition can sometimes sound less natural than with one. Great question that highlights typical learner pitfalls!
Thank you for breaking this down. I often feel like I'm translating directly from Spanish, and the collocations sound unnatural. This helps me 'think in English' more.
That's a common experience for many learners, Sofia, and we're so glad this article is helping you shift towards 'thinking in English'! Recognizing these natural partnerships between words is a crucial step away from direct translation and towards true fluency. Keep practicing, and you'll notice a significant improvement!
Fantastic resource! I'm sharing this with my study group. We often discuss how to sound more native, and collocations are always top of the list.
That's fantastic, Fiona! We're delighted to be a valuable resource for your study group. You're absolutely right, mastering collocations is a cornerstone of sounding more native and fluent. We wish you and your group the best in your English learning journey!
I love that you mentioned language anxiety. Learning these patterns really does boost confidence! I feel less like I'm making mistakes now.
Is 'vary by' a common prepositional collocation? Like 'prices vary by region' or 'rules vary by country'?
Excellent question, Chloe! Yes, 'vary by' is a very common and essential prepositional collocation. You've hit on perfect examples! It's used to specify the factor or category that causes the variation. 'Prices vary by region,' 'rules vary by country,' and 'opinions vary by individual' are all natural and correct uses. This shows you're really thinking about how words connect!
This article reminded me of similar challenges with 'depend on' vs 'rely on'. Collocations are tricky but so important! Thank you for breaking down 'vary'.
What about 'vary slightly'? Is that also a common collocation? I often need to express small differences.
Absolutely, Priya! 'Vary slightly' is a very common and useful collocation for expressing small or minor differences. For example: 'The study results varied slightly from the initial predictions.' Or 'The shades of blue in the fabric vary slightly, giving it a unique texture.' It's perfect for when the difference isn't dramatic but still present.