a clear difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a clear difference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about the distinction between two things, such as "The new package makes a clear difference between the tiers of service."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The analysis also reveals a clear difference between the data obtained with different methods.

Plosone

A clear difference in the extent of bone ingrowth was determined for the different scaffold types.

Biomaterials

I saw a clear difference in only one use.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I have noted a clear difference in the critics.

The Guardian - Books

There is a clear difference between these two coaches.

Independent

They were both very intelligent, cultured women but there was a clear difference in their personalities".

The New York Times

Then again, there's a clear difference between sharing a sense of triumph and bragging.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet when it comes to health care costs, Richmond's rationing has made a clear difference.

The New York Times

The saga also spotlights a clear difference between Barack Obama and John McCain.

The New York Times

New England's offense made a clear difference in the second half.

The New York Times - Sports

But there is a clear difference between this sort of critical analysis and accusations of bias.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a clear difference" to emphasize a readily apparent distinction between two or more items. This phrase is particularly useful when clarity is essential to understanding the comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "a clear difference" when the distinction is already self-evident. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound redundant or patronizing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a clear difference" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It's designed to denote a readily apparent distinction between two or more entities, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a clear difference" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that serves to highlight an easily noticeable distinction. It finds usage across diverse contexts, primarily within scientific and news-related domains. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to avoid redundancy by overusing it when the distinction is already obvious. Alternatives such as "a noticeable distinction" or "a distinct contrast" can offer variety in expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a distinct contrast

Replaces "difference" with "contrast", emphasizing the degree of dissimilarity.

a noticeable distinction

Substitutes "clear" with "noticeable" and "difference" with "distinction", highlighting the ease of perceiving the variation.

an obvious disparity

Emphasizes the inequality or imbalance between the compared items.

a marked divergence

Indicates a significant deviation or separation between two things.

a palpable variation

Highlights that the change is so evident that can be easily perceived.

an evident gap

Focuses on the space or interval between two things that makes them unalike.

a sharp differentiation

Underlines the act of distinguishing or discriminating between things.

a plain discrepancy

Draws attention to the inconsistency or contradiction between two things.

a visible alteration

Indicates a change that can be seen or observed.

a well-defined contrast

Emphasizes the completeness and clarity of the difference between items.

FAQs

How to use "a clear difference" in a sentence?

You can use "a clear difference" to highlight an obvious distinction. For example: "There is "a clear difference" between the two approaches."

What can I say instead of "a clear difference"?

You can use alternatives like "a noticeable distinction", "a distinct contrast", or "an obvious disparity" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "a clear difference" or "a clearly difference"?

"A clear difference" is correct. "Clearly" is an adverb and would not be used to modify the noun "difference". Instead, "clear" is the correct adjective.

What's the difference between "a clear difference" and "a subtle difference"?

"A clear difference" implies that the distinction is easily noticeable, while "a subtle difference" suggests that the distinction is slight and may not be immediately obvious.