a conspicuous difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a conspicuous difference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a noticeable or easily seen difference between two or more things. Example: "There is a conspicuous difference in the quality of the two products, making it clear which one is superior."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

But there is a conspicuous difference.

The Guardian

Reviewers praised his performance, pointing out a conspicuous difference between Mr. Cazenove and Rex Harrison, who had originated the role on Broadway in 1956: Mr. Cazenove could sing.

The New York Times - Arts

There is a conspicuous difference in the sizes between membrane pores and DP 6 to 8 COS.

Bioresources and Bioprocessing

As the party sat at a single, long table over dinner and we swapped stories with consistently remarkable women close in age to or older than the newlyweds, I found a conspicuous difference in the language my partner and I chose to describe our community, our art, our politics and ourselves and the words our new acquaintances used.

Huffington Post

Interestingly, a conspicuous difference in the 5S rDNA phenotype was discovered between two karyomorphs of S. notostigma.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

The answer almost certainly is due to the lack of a conspicuous difference in density from surrounding breast parenchyma.

Breast Cancer Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

One conspicuous difference involved a protein called hamartin, which was present in larger amounts in the hardy CA3 cells than in the fragile CA1 cells.To check whether hamartin was indeed responsible for the CA3 cells' robustness, the researchers created in a test tube a strain of rat neurons which were unable to produce the protein, and then deprived them of oxygen and sugar for three hours.

The Economist

As Jaegwon Kim points out in a widely cited critical discussion of Quine, another conspicuous difference between traditional epistemology and what Quine recommends is that they study strikingly different topics (Kim, 1988: 390).

SEP

Senator Barack Obama's status as the first African-American nominee of a major party is only the most conspicuous difference.

The New York Times

Among individuals with BMI ≤25 there was a conspicuous survival difference between those with and without DM/IFG.

BMJ Open

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02304.004 A conspicuous structural difference between apicomplexan MDHs and LDHs is an insertion within the active site loop of the LDHs (Bzik et al., 1993; Dunn et al., 1996; Figure 2).

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a conspicuous difference" when you want to emphasize that a difference is easily noticeable or significant. This phrase adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

While grammatically correct, using "a conspicuous difference" in very informal settings might sound overly formal or stilted. Consider more casual alternatives like "a big difference" or "an obvious difference" for everyday conversations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a conspicuous difference" functions as a noun phrase that modifies another noun, indicating that the difference being described is easily noticeable or prominent. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a conspicuous difference" is a grammatically sound phrase used to highlight easily noticeable distinctions. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While versatile, it finds its most frequent use in scientific and journalistic writing, with a neutral register. When aiming for impact and clarity, this phrase serves as an effective tool, but remember to consider more casual alternatives for very informal settings. As seen in the provided examples, and considering the related alternatives, its primary goal is to make differences stand out. Authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase, which highlights its acceptance in high-quality writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a striking contrast

Emphasizes a dramatic and easily observed difference.

a noticeable distinction

Focuses on the ease with which the difference can be observed.

an evident disparity

Highlights an inequality or difference that is easily seen.

a clear divergence

Stresses the act of splitting off or differing, which is easily seen.

a marked deviation

Implies a departure from a norm that is easily observed.

an obvious variation

Underscores that the difference is straightforward and easily perceived.

a palpable dissimilarity

Highlights a difference that is so evident, it can almost be felt.

a prominent alteration

Focuses on a change that is very noticeable.

a patent inconsistency

Emphasizes that the difference is undeniable and readily apparent.

a visible contrast

Stresses that the difference can be seen by the eye.

FAQs

How can I use "a conspicuous difference" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to highlight an easily noticeable distinction between two or more things. For example, "There was "a conspicuous difference between" the two approaches."

What's the difference between "a conspicuous difference" and "a striking difference"?

Both phrases indicate a noticeable distinction, but "a striking difference" implies that the distinction is particularly impressive or remarkable, while "a conspicuous difference" simply means it's easily observed.

Which is more formal, "a conspicuous difference" or "a noticeable difference"?

"A conspicuous difference" is generally considered more formal than "a noticeable difference". The former is more common in academic or professional writing, while the latter is suitable for a broader range of contexts.

What are some alternatives to using "a conspicuous difference" in my writing?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "a striking contrast", "a noticeable distinction", or "an evident disparity".