a different sex

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a different sex" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing gender differences or relationships between individuals of varying sexes.
Example: "In many species, individuals of a different sex are required for reproduction."
Alternatives: "another gender" or "a contrasting sex".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

When Orlando changes into a woman, she turns to the camera and says coolly, "Same person -- no difference at all -- just a different sex".

The New York Times

It is very embarrassing to checkout sexual items with a different sex or someone with a huge age difference.

WikiHow

"Just a different sex".

The New York Times - Arts

I have so little testosterone that I'm verging on being a different sex altogether.

The Guardian - Music

"My misfortune was that I was born of a different sex," she said.

The New York Times

His voice, as he said, belonged not just to a different sex, but to another time.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

Subsequently, for each array, one healthy individual was labeled with Cy3 and a different sex-matched healthy individual was labeled with Cy5.

BMC Biology

Besides the first batch of 10080 n-tuples, we ran the algorithm four more times (iterations), each time evaluating the n-tuples in a different sex-race subset of the data.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Consequently, they are in a relevantly similar situation to a different-sex couple as regards their need for legal recognition and protection of their relationship".

The Guardian

Same-sex couples with biological and stepchildren are more common in the socially conservative South and Midwest, where LGBT people likely come out later in life and are more likely to have children from a different-sex relationship earlier in life.

Huffington Post

In line with this, Brungart, Simpson, Ericson, and Scott (2001) showed that providing a priori information about the target talker by using the same talker in a block of trials helped to prevent different-sex, but not same-sex confusions (errors where the reported color and number in the CRM task were uttered by a different-sex or same-sex interferer, respectively).

Attention, Perception & Psychophysics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing sex and gender, consider using more specific terms if possible, such as "male", "female", or "transgender", to avoid ambiguity and promote clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "sex" and "gender" interchangeably. Sex refers to biological traits, while gender is a social construct. Using them incorrectly can lead to miscommunication and perpetuate harmful stereotypes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a different sex" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as an object of a preposition or verb. According to Ludwig AI, it correctly identifies and describes the condition of not being of the same sex. It commonly serves to delineate differences or relationships based on biological sex.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a different sex" is a versatile noun phrase used to denote individuals who do not share the same biological sex. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various domains. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, it functions to categorize, distinguish, or compare entities based on their sex. While generally neutral in register, it leans towards formality due to its precision. Related phrases include "another sex" or "the opposite sex". When employing this phrase, consider the specific context and audience to ensure clarity and respect, especially when discussing sensitive topics like gender identity. Avoiding the conflation of sex and gender is crucial for accurate communication.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

another sex

Replaces "different" with "another" while maintaining the core meaning.

the opposite sex

Focuses on the contrast between two sexes, implying a binary system.

different biological sex

Emphasizes the biological aspect of the difference in sex.

a contrasting gender

Substitutes "sex" with "gender", highlighting the social construct aspect.

a distinct gender

Emphasizes the separateness and individuality of the genders.

the other sex

A more colloquial and less formal way to refer to the opposite or another sex.

FAQs

How can I use "a different sex" in a sentence?

You can use "a different sex" to refer to individuals not of the same biological sex. For instance, "The study examined interactions between individuals of "a different sex"".

What's the difference between "a different sex" and "the opposite sex"?

"The opposite sex" implies a binary view of sex (male/female), while ""a different sex"" can be used in broader contexts, including when discussing non-binary genders.

What are some alternatives to "a different sex"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "another sex", "a contrasting gender", or "varying gender identities".

Is it appropriate to use "a different sex" in formal writing?

Yes, "a different sex" is generally appropriate in formal writing, especially in scientific or academic contexts. However, consider the audience and choose the most precise and respectful language possible, which may involve specifying the sexes or genders involved.