variance
variance — noun
1. how much things differ from each other, especially when they were expected to be
how much things differ from each other, especially when they were expected to be alike
The weather in Taipei shows wide variance between summer and winter temperatures.
variance + between + plural nouns for comparison
Tyler noted a clear variance in the test scores of the two classes.
variance + in + noun phrase
There was very little variance among the answers given by the three experts.
Renata could not explain the huge variance between the budget and the actual cost.
A small variance in temperature can affect how the cake bakes.
- difference
more general and common; variance implies a measurable or notable gap
- discrepancy
suggests an unexpected or problematic difference, especially between figures or records
- deviation
emphasizes moving away from a standard or expected value
- similarity
the quality of being alike rather than different
- consistency
the state of staying the same across cases or over time
文法句型
variance + in + noun phrase
variance + between + plural noun phrase
用法筆記
Often paired with prepositions 'in' (variance in X) for the subject of difference, and 'between' (variance between X and Y) for the two things being compared. This sense is more formal than 'difference' and suggests a measurable gap.
常見錯誤
2. formal permission from an authority that lets a person or group act in a way nor
formal permission from an authority that lets a person or group act in a way normally forbidden by existing codes, particularly in construction or land use
The city council granted a variance allowing the shop to open on a holiday.
grant + a + variance + to-infinitive
Layla applied for a variance to build her house taller than the usual limit.
apply for + a + variance
Without a variance from the planning board, the new restaurant could not serve food outdoors.
The zoning board voted to deny the variance for the proposed apartment building.
- waiver
more general; a decision not to enforce a rule, not specific to building or zoning
- exemption
freedom from a requirement that usually applies to everyone
- dispensation
formal permission to break a rule, often used in religious or institutional contexts
- restriction
a rule that limits what you can do, the opposite of being freed from a rule
文法句型
variance + for + noun phrase
grant + a + variance
apply for + a + variance
用法筆記
Primarily used in US legal and planning contexts. The thing being exempted is stated after 'for' (a variance for a fence) or as a 'to'-infinitive (a variance to build higher). British English more commonly uses 'planning permission' or 'waiver'.
常見錯誤
3. a state in which two people, groups, or pieces of information hold or express di
a state in which two people, groups, or pieces of information hold or express different views and do not agree with each other
The two witnesses were at variance over the time the accident took place.
at variance + over + topic of disagreement
Christopher's account of the meeting was at variance with the notes taken by his assistant.
at variance + with + contrasting information
The partners were at variance about how to invest the company's profits.
Élise was at variance with the rest of the team on the marketing plan.
文法句型
at variance + with + noun phrase
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed phrase 'at variance (with/over/about)'. This sense is more formal than 'disagree' and often implies a notable or public difference of opinion. The subject can be people, documents, or statements.