a delicate distinction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a delicate distinction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing subtle differences between concepts, ideas, or categories that require careful consideration. Example: "In the debate about freedom of speech, there is a delicate distinction between hate speech and legitimate criticism."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It is a delicate distinction, one even his friends worry might well be lost on most people.

The New York Times

In today's diplolingo, it means "a delicate distinction; a subtle shading or veiled variation that gives a hint of a shift in tone".

The New York Times - Magazine

A New York police officer was convicted on Tuesday in a bizarre plot to kidnap, torture, kill and eat women, ending a trial whose outcome hinged on a delicate distinction between fantasy and reality.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

In addition, it offers a topological perspective of the intersection of the more delicate distinction of process types and the system of Agency.

Functional Linguistics

Herein lies the delicate distinction between financial federalism and regulatory federalism, one often missed by members of Congress that may leave the very lives of their constituents hanging in the balance.

Huffington Post

The Northern Alliance refuses; it calls Mullah Omar, along with Mr bin Laden, a war criminal, and is little inclined to draw delicate distinctions.

The Economist

These are the most general categories; there are of course more delicate distinctions to be made within them.

Functional Linguistics

While the less delicate distinctions in Tatu's system of Mood type are non-controversial and correspond to the general distinctions recognized in the typological literature, the more delicate distinctions appear to confound Mood type with its realizations and with Process type.

Functional Linguistics

In summary, the prosodic patterns which relate to the least delicate distinctions in the BH mood system are realized by means of segments strongly associated with clause-initial position.

Functional Linguistics

The next section will show that the Finite/Predicator is the central element in the mood structure, the element which "carries the burden of the clause as an interactive event" ((Halliday & Matthiessen 2014): 150), although the various Negotiators serve to realize certain more delicate distinctions in mood.

Functional Linguistics

She works with the unruliness of the material to feature delicate distinctions and quiet moments that she observes in people brought together by art.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ this phrase to highlight nuances that might be easily overlooked.

Common error

Avoid using "a delicate distinction" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Consider using synonyms like "subtle difference" or "fine line" to add variety.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a delicate distinction" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It is used to identify and emphasize a subtle difference that requires careful consideration, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a delicate distinction" is a noun phrase used to emphasize the importance of recognizing subtle differences. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that it is grammatically correct and appears in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science, with a neutral to formal register. While not very common, using this phrase highlights the need for careful consideration. Alternative phrases include "a subtle difference" or "a fine line". When employing this phrase, remember that overuse can lead to redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a subtle difference

Emphasizes the subtlety of the distinction.

a fine line

Highlights the narrowness or precariousness of the distinction.

a nuanced difference

Focuses on the complex and intricate nature of the distinction.

a marginal difference

Suggests the distinction is small and possibly insignificant.

a subtle nuance

Highlights an even finer point of differentiation.

a hairsplitting distinction

Implies the distinction is overly precise and perhaps unnecessary.

a discriminating difference

Points to a difference discernible only with careful attention.

a razor's edge

A figure of speech representing the fine line between safety and danger, right and wrong, etc.

a shade of difference

Indicates a slight or subtle variation.

a point of divergence

Highlights the point where two things begin to differ.

FAQs

How can I use "a delicate distinction" in a sentence?

You can use "a delicate distinction" to highlight a subtle difference between two concepts, for example: "There's "a delicate distinction" between constructive criticism and personal insults."

What's a less formal way to say "a delicate distinction"?

Informally, you could say "a subtle difference" or "a fine line" instead of "a delicate distinction".

Is there a difference between "a delicate distinction" and "a subtle nuance"?

While similar, "a delicate distinction" generally refers to a broader difference that requires careful consideration, whereas "a subtle nuance" points to a finer, more intricate point of differentiation.

When is it appropriate to use "a delicate distinction" in writing?

Use "a delicate distinction" when you want to emphasize that recognizing a subtle difference is crucial for understanding a topic or situation.