a fundamental difference of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a fundamental difference of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to highlight a significant distinction or variation between two or more concepts, ideas, or entities. Example: "There is a fundamental difference of opinion between the two experts regarding the best approach to climate change."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

This means most of the 66 miRNA clusters are composed of the miRNAs from either one family or completely different families, suggesting that there is a fundamental difference of family composition between the homo-clusters and the hetero-clusters.

BMC Systems Biology

It's a fundamental difference of opinion.

The New York Times

There's a fundamental difference of opinion here, folks.

The New York Times

The Hollywood star then cut ties with the charity, citing "a fundamental difference of opinion".

The Guardian - Business

At issue is a fundamental difference of belief over the source of the conflict.

The New York Times

"She and Oxfam have a fundamental difference of opinion in regards to the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

However, together we can make a fundamental difference for millions of children in the Horn of Africa".

Unicef

Differences in the underlying data result, at this point, in a fundamental difference to the approach of Lappi (1997) and Mehtätalo (2004).

Forest Ecosystems

But if we want to make a fundamental difference, all of us must bring the conversation home.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bank cards and lines of credit both offer money when it is needed, but there is a fundamental difference: lines of credit have low, fixed interest rates or slow-moving, variable ones, while interest rates on credit cards can jump unpredictably.

The New York Times

However, the commonalities between GBM and non-GBM with respect to race/ethnic group and sex variation, more notable than the somewhat subtle, albeit statistically significant, differences, suggest that within the context of a fundamental difference, some aspects of the complex process of gliomagenesis are shared by these subtypes as well.

BMC Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a fundamental difference of", ensure you clearly articulate what two or more things are being compared and what specific aspect constitutes the difference. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "a fundamental difference of" when the distinction is minor or superficial. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing seem exaggerated. Instead, reserve it for truly significant and impactful differences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a fundamental difference of" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It serves to identify and emphasize a significant distinction between two or more entities, ideas, or viewpoints. Ludwig indicates that it is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a fundamental difference of" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to emphasize a significant distinction. As Ludwig explains, its primary function is to highlight core variances across various contexts, from science and news to formal business settings. While alternatives like "a key disparity of" or "a significant divergence of" exist, "a fundamental difference of" remains a strong and versatile choice. Remember to reserve it for truly impactful differences to maintain its effectiveness, as overusing it can dilute its significance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a basic distinction of

Replaces "fundamental" with "basic", indicating a simpler or more elementary difference.

a key disparity of

Uses "key disparity" to emphasize the importance and distinctness of the difference.

a significant divergence of

Employs "divergence" to suggest a branching or deviation in paths or opinions.

a radical contrast of

Highlights the extreme or opposing nature of the difference with "radical contrast".

a core variance of

Substitutes "fundamental" with "core", focusing on the central or essential variation.

a principal dissimilarity of

Uses "principal dissimilarity" to denote the main or primary difference.

an essential deviation of

Emphasizes the necessity and departure from the norm with "essential deviation".

a marked contrast of

Replaces 'fundamental' with 'marked', highlighting that the difference is easily noticeable or clear.

a deep-seated difference of

Adds the nuance of "deep-seated" emphasizing that the difference is profound or rooted.

a primary differentiation of

Uses "primary differentiation" to indicate a main distinction that sets things apart.

FAQs

How do you use "a fundamental difference of" in a sentence?

Use "a fundamental difference of" to highlight a significant distinction between two or more things. For instance, "There's a fundamental difference of opinion between the scientists regarding the safety of the new drug".

What's a more formal way to say "a fundamental difference of"?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases like "a key disparity of", "a significant divergence of", or "a principal dissimilarity of". See more at "a principal dissimilarity of".

Which is correct: "a fundamental difference of opinion" or "a fundamental difference in opinion"?

Both "a fundamental difference of opinion" and "a fundamental difference in opinion" are acceptable. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, though "a fundamental difference of opinion" is slightly more common, especially in certain contexts.

What can I say instead of "a fundamental difference of" to emphasize a contrast?

To emphasize contrast, consider using phrases such as "a radical contrast of" or "a marked contrast of". These alternatives highlight the opposing nature of the difference. See more at "a marked contrast of".