"a discrepancy" vs "any discrepancy"

Question

"a discrepancy" vs "any discrepancy"

Both 'any discrepancy' and 'a discrepancy' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Any discrepancy' is used when referring to the possibility of there being a discrepancy, while 'a discrepancy' is used when talking about a specific discrepancy that has been identified.

Last Updated: March 26, 2024

Use 'a discrepancy' when you are talking about a particular discrepancy that has been found or mentioned.

Examples:

There is a discrepancy between the two sets of data.
We need to address a discrepancy in the financial records.

Alternatives:

an inconsistency
a variation
a difference
a divergence
an anomaly

Use 'any discrepancy' when you want to indicate the existence of a possible discrepancy without specifying a particular one.

Examples:

Please let me know if you find any discrepancy in the report.
We need to double-check for any discrepancy in the data.

Alternatives:

possible discrepancy
potential discrepancy
potential inconsistency
potential variation
potential difference

Answer 1

a discrepancy

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to a specific identified discrepancy.

Answer 2

any discrepancy

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English when referring to the possibility of there being a discrepancy.

"a discrepancy" vs "any discrepancy"

a discrepancy

any discrepancy

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