Master confusing words with ease
Discrepancy vs. Disparity
Discrepancy
/dɪˈskrepənsi/Examples:
A discrepancy arose between the accounts and the actual figures.The audit revealed a significant discrepancy in the inventory.They found a discrepancy in the test results during review.
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Disparity
/dɪˈspærəti/Examples:
The economic disparity between regions widens yearly.A significant disparity in education access persists globally.Gender disparity issues are central to modern discussions.
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Ways to tell them apart:
- Discrepancy often refers to a lack of consistency or an error, especially in accounts or financial documents, while disparity often describes a difference in levels, amounts, or quality, often relating to social, economic, or health factors.
- You may find a discrepancy in a report if the numbers don't match up, but a disparity might be used to describe the gap between the rich and the poor.
- A discrepancy is about noticing something that doesn't add up, while a disparity addresses inequality or lack of equality between two things.
- Discrepancy can imply something that needs to be fixed or clarified, while disparity can indicate something that may require systemic change.
- Think of a discrepancy as mismatched details that should be aligned, while a disparity is about a broader inequity or imbalance.
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