a reasonable difference

USAGE SUMMARY

'a reasonable difference' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to describe two items, typically objects, that have some difference between them, but the difference is not dramatic or extreme. For example, you could say, "There is a reasonable difference between the prices of the two cars."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

To establish the merit of the work, present results are compared with those values obtained from the previous model and a reasonable difference in results has been noticed.

International Journal of Refrigeration

Further a comparative study has also been presented between the present work and published work to show the variation in fin performances due to mass transfer and a reasonable difference in results has been noticed.

Energy

There is a reasonable difference between the chassis regulations this year and next but if you don't know what's going on with what you have after five years under one set of rules, there is no obvious reason you'll know under the next.

BBC

It also was a reasonable difference that could be expected in this type of research.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Though no formal standards exist, power is generally expected to take a value of at least 0.80 in order to detect a reasonable difference from the null hypothesis.

Environmental Health: A Global Access Science Source

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

However, elastic stress distributions in lower dies for 2D and 3D cases showed a relatively reasonable difference incurring the variation of tool life.

Journal of Materials Processing Technology

At the same time, close divisional races would regain some urgency, even if both teams were assured a playoff spot, because there would now be such a significant (and reasonable) difference between division winner and wild-card qualifier.

The New York Times - Sports

In this case, different prevalence rates of documented comorbidity reflect a really existing – and medically reasonable – difference regarding the occurrence of a comorbid condition.

BMC Geriatrics

If you really wanted to compete on price, you could discount the book 5percentt below the publisher's price — many bookstores chose to take advantage of this exception, but 5percentt was a reasonable price difference.

TechCrunch

One issue with the three smaller RCTs is that they were all statistically underpowered to detect a reasonable mortality difference [ 3- 5].

Critical Care

For example, if two records are related as father and son, then there must be a reasonable age difference between the two individuals.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When comparing data sets or results, use "a reasonable difference" to indicate that the observed variation is within expected or acceptable limits. This suggests that the results are still valid or comparable despite the variation.

Common error

Avoid using "a reasonable difference" when the disparity is statistically significant or has practical implications. In such cases, use more specific terminology like "significant difference" or "notable variation" to accurately represent the magnitude of the difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a reasonable difference" functions as an adjective phrase modifying the noun "difference." It describes the nature of the difference, indicating that it is within acceptable or expected limits. Ludwig's analysis confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a reasonable difference" is a phrase used to describe variations that are within acceptable or expected limits. Ludwig confirms that it is grammatically correct and suitable for various writing contexts. Primarily found in scientific and academic fields, the phrase conveys objectivity when comparing data. When employing this phrase, be mindful of not overgeneralizing and that source authority matters. Remember, while the phrase suggests that a difference exists, it also implies that this difference does not invalidate the comparison or analysis being made.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a notable disparity

Emphasizes the noticeable aspect of the difference.

a considerable variation

Highlights the extent and degree of the difference.

a significant distinction

Focuses on the importance and relevance of the difference.

a fair divergence

Indicates a moderate level of separation or deviation.

an acceptable margin of error

Specifically relates to the difference within acceptable boundaries of error.

a tolerable discrepancy

Suggests that the difference is still within acceptable limits.

a modest deviation

Implies that the difference is relatively small or subtle.

a justifiable alteration

Focuses on the reasons behind the difference and its validity.

a sensible contrast

Emphasizes the logic behind the difference and its rationale.

an understandable deviation

Highlights the clarity and comprehensibility of the difference.

FAQs

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

You can use "a reasonable difference" to describe variations that are expected or acceptable within a certain context. For instance, "There is "a reasonable difference" in test scores between the two groups, which can be attributed to individual learning styles".

What is a synonym for "a reasonable difference"?

Alternatives to "a reasonable difference" include phrases like "a notable disparity", "a considerable variation", or "a significant distinction" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a reasonable difference"?

It is appropriate to use "a reasonable difference" when discussing variations that are expected, acceptable, or not statistically significant. It implies that despite the difference, the overall results or findings are still valid or comparable.

What's the difference between "a reasonable difference" and "a significant difference"?

"A reasonable difference" suggests that the variation is within acceptable or expected limits, while "a significant difference" indicates that the variation is statistically meaningful and likely not due to chance.