a distinction to keep

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distinction to keep" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when emphasizing the importance of maintaining a specific difference or separation between two or more concepts or ideas. Example: "In discussions about ethics, there is a distinction to keep between personal beliefs and professional responsibilities."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Isn't this a piece of a continuum so small that it cannot be divided?" Now it seems we need a distinction to keep this story working.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A critical distinction to keep in mind is tracking the outcomes you want to produce vs. the actions that will be required to get there.

Huffington Post

In general, the difference between expressed and unexpressed blame seems likely to be an important distinction to keep in mind when theorizing about the ways in which blame can go wrong.

SEP

This is an important distinction to keep in mind when interpreting results, especially results of the in silico challenge where the data is admittedly non-biological despite our best efforts.

Plosone

It is too early to say whether enough consumers will recognize and value that distinction to keep the company afloat.

The New York Times

An interesting distinction to keep in mind when considering phenotypes resulting from circadian gene disruption is whether the phenotype could be due to loss of rhythmicity of gene expression, versus due to the potentially disruption-specific effects on gene expression level.

Aging

The movement flows through them without meeting any distinguishing idiosyncrasy, and it could use that sort of distinction, something to keep the gorged eye from becoming jaded.

The New York Times - Arts

His concern was only that such theorising should be properly grounded, and that it should not be driven, for example, by an initial failure to keep track of distinctions that we mark in our ordinary use of language.

SEP

Then, desperately recalibrating in an effort to keep up with events, they inevitably make a series of subtle distinctions no one else heeds.

The New York Times

The Talmud, the compilation of Jewish law and commentary that was written in the years 200-500 C.E., bears witness to a distinction between "friends," who undertook to keep Jewish law strictly, and "people of the land," who were ignorant of the fine points and couldn't be trusted to, for instance, tithe their crops properly.

The New Yorker

Max DePree, former chairman of Herman Miller and the author of Leading Without Power, once remarked that the first question for a leader is not "What are we going to do?" but "Who do we intend to be?" It's a good distinction for daily innovators to keep in mind when thinking about how to structure their participation in a network so that it will yield the innovation their organizations need.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a distinction to keep" when you want to emphasize the need to maintain clarity between two or more concepts, ideas, or items, especially where confusion might easily arise.

Common error

Avoid using "a distinction to keep" when the difference is already obvious or widely understood; in such cases, the phrase may sound redundant or overly cautious. Instead, reserve it for situations where a nuanced understanding is crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distinction to keep" functions as a means of highlighting the need to maintain a clear boundary or difference between two or more entities. This is often used in contexts where understanding the nuance is crucial for accurate comprehension or effective action, as Ludwig indicates.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a distinction to keep" is a phrase used to emphasize the importance of maintaining a clear difference between two or more concepts. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It's used in contexts such as science, news, and business, indicating a neutral to formal register. While not exceedingly common, it serves to highlight nuances that are critical for accurate understanding and communication. Remember to use it when clarity is paramount and the risk of conflation is high, ensuring the intended message is both precise and easily grasped.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a difference to maintain

Replaces "distinction" with "difference" and "keep" with "maintain", focusing on maintaining a separation.

a separation to uphold

Substitutes "distinction" with "separation" and "keep" with "uphold", emphasizing the act of supporting the separation.

a boundary to preserve

Uses "boundary" instead of "distinction" and "preserve" instead of "keep", focusing on preventing the boundary from being crossed.

an aspect to differentiate

Highlights a particular aspect and the act of distinguishing it.

a nuance to remember

Focuses on remembering a subtle difference.

a dividing line to respect

Emphasizes respecting the dividing line that constitutes the distinction.

a contrast to bear in mind

Highlights contrast and the act of being mindful of it.

a fine point to consider

Replaces the broader 'distinction' with 'fine point', narrowing the focus to subtlety.

an element to segregate

This alternative uses a stronger word, 'segregate,' to imply a more forceful separation.

a facet to distinguish

Focuses on identifying and recognizing the specific aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "a distinction to keep" in a sentence?

Use "a distinction to keep" when you need to emphasize the importance of maintaining clarity between two concepts. For example: "In ethical debates, there's "a distinction to keep" between legal rights and moral obligations."

What are some alternatives to "a distinction to keep"?

Alternatives include "a difference to maintain", "a separation to uphold", or "a boundary to preserve". Each emphasizes the need to recognize a specific difference.

Is it always necessary to explicitly state "a distinction to keep"?

No, you only need to state "a distinction to keep" if the distinction is subtle or easily blurred. If the difference is already clear, it might be redundant.

What's the difference between "a distinction to keep" and "an important distinction"?

"An important distinction" highlights the significance of a difference, whereas ""a distinction to keep"" emphasizes the ongoing effort to maintain that difference in one's mind or practice.