a salient difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a salient difference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when highlighting a significant or noticeable difference between two or more things. Example: "There is a salient difference between the two approaches to problem-solving that we need to consider."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Only gender and field of study made a salient difference in students' perceptions of good teaching.

Studies in Educational Evaluation

This is a salient difference from the services of a masseuse or a therapist, which are paid for but don't require deception.

The New Yorker

The diamond-related Raman features, including the B-doping-assigned modes, are intact during reversible electrochemical charging/discharging, which is a salient difference from all usual sp2-carbons.

Electrochimica Acta

A salient difference between MobiPluto and the existing PDE systems is that any block-based file systems can be deployed on top of it.

Computers & Security

A salient difference is that we construct a dynamic OLG model rather than a static model (Lopez and Mitra [2000] construct a static model).

Journal of Economic Structures

As a salient difference, MCMJR1 does not contain an obvious C-terminal PAL motif.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"People dislike the prospect of any change in their essence positive or negative," Meyer writes, "and so any salient difference between the donor and recipient leads to increased resistance to the transplant".

Vice

The response latency was determined that indicates the salience of the difference between the background stimulus and the deviator (i.e., a shorter latency indicates a more salient difference [21]).

Plosone

A particularly salient difference, of course, is how each culture approaches failure.

The New York Times - Tech

In the next step, they learned to discriminate pure tones (400 ms duration, frequency range 1100 Hz to 3492 Hz, logarithmically spaced in this range) with a highly salient difference in frequency.

Plosone

Are there any salient differences between you and the Ryan that we saw on The A-List? Ryan Nickulas: No, not really, but I would say that the show limited what you saw of me.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a salient difference", ensure you clearly articulate what two or more things are being compared, and precisely define the aspect in which they differ. This makes the distinction immediately apparent to your reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a salient difference" as a placeholder for deeper analysis. Always elaborate on the nature and implications of the difference, rather than simply pointing it out.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a salient difference" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, effectively highlighting a notable distinction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a salient difference" is a correct and usable phrase employed to emphasize a notable distinction between two or more items. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently appears in scientific, academic, and news contexts. While alternatives like ""a significant contrast"" or ""a key differentiator"" exist, "a salient difference" is particularly effective when highlighting a prominent, easily noticeable distinction. Remember to clearly articulate the points of comparison and elaborate on the implications of the difference to avoid oversimplification.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a noteworthy distinction

Replaces "salient" with "noteworthy", emphasizing the importance of the difference.

a significant contrast

Uses "significant contrast" to highlight a considerable difference.

a crucial distinction

Highlights that the difference is essential or vital to consider.

a key differentiator

Emphasizes that the difference is a deciding factor.

a marked difference

Replaces "salient" with "marked", indicating a noticeable change.

a fundamental difference

Indicates a difference that is basic and central to the nature of something.

a prominent disparity

Highlights the inequality and conspicuousness of the difference.

a striking divergence

Focuses on the deviation or departure from a norm, making the difference stand out.

a considerable variation

Emphasizes the degree or extent of difference between the things being compared.

a major deviation

Suggests a significant departure from a standard or expected outcome.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a salient difference" in a sentence?

To use "a salient difference" effectively, ensure you specify what items are being compared and what aspect constitutes the primary difference. For example, "A salient difference between these two models is their energy efficiency."

What are some alternatives to using "a salient difference" in writing?

Alternatives to "a salient difference" include "a significant contrast", "a key differentiator", or "a noteworthy distinction", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a salient difference" versus "a significant difference"?

"A salient difference" is best used when the difference is not only significant but also immediately noticeable or prominent. "A significant difference" is a more general term and suitable when the importance of the difference is the main focus.

Is "a salient difference" too formal for casual writing?

While "a salient difference" is appropriate for formal and academic writing, it may sound overly formal in casual contexts. Consider using alternatives like "a noticeable difference" or "a key difference" for informal settings.