a sense of difference

USAGE SUMMARY

'a sense of difference' is a valid phrase in written English.
It is often used to refer to a person's perception of a distinct contrast or distinction between two things. For example, "He had a sense of difference when he went to the school in the city compared to the one he attended in the suburbs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"We need to create a sense of difference about each island and convey that each delivers a different experience," he added.

The New York Times

Though Khan did not experience overt racism or prejudice in that low-octane environment, a sense of difference was unavoidable.

Independent

"It's not being Alawite that gives me a sense of difference," he objects, "but the present state of the Arab world.

The Guardian

This is the show's lesson, that a sense of difference can make you an artist, but the handling of it is light: tender, witty, at times sentimental.

The New Yorker

The new bilingual station boards, in English and Gaelic, common now right across Scotland, suggest a country's search to assert a sense of difference in another way.

The Guardian - Opinion

"As the world becomes smaller and more connected through culture and movies, people become more insistent on names that are unique to the individual to give them a sense of difference".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

But it will be helpful to get a sense of differences between your liver cells and your neighbour's especially if you are ill and he is healthy.Most beguiling to biologists, though, is the difference between one of your liver cells and another.

The Economist

"He just grew up without a sense of racial difference," Greg Hotaling said.

The New York Times - Arts

Here you really get a sense of the difference between this giant area of fog, and the little guy.

The Guardian - Arts

To get a sense of the difference between Taubman and Simon properties, one need look no farther than the New Jersey suburbs of New York.

The New York Times

He came from Lewiston, Me., where he was born in 1877, by way of Cleveland, already seasoned by solitude and a sense of his difference.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a sense of difference" when describing subjective experiences of feeling distinct or recognizing contrasts, rather than objective measurements of difference. For example, use it to describe how a minority person may feel in a dominantly white environment.

Common error

Avoid using "a sense of difference" when you should be referring to a quantifiable difference. For example, don't say "there's a sense of difference of 10 degrees" when describing temperature; instead, say "there's a difference of 10 degrees".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sense of difference" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig, this phrase is generally considered valid. It describes a subjective feeling or awareness of being distinct or recognizing a contrast.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a sense of difference" is a noun phrase that refers to a subjective feeling of distinctness or an awareness of contrasts. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is valid and commonly used across various contexts, although it is not extremely frequent. Its communicative purpose revolves around articulating feelings related to personal identity, cultural diversity, and perceived disparities. The phrase maintains a neutral register, fitting well in both formal and informal discourse. Therefore, use "a sense of difference" to describe how a minority person may feel in a dominantly white environment; however, avoid using "a sense of difference" when you should be referring to a quantifiable difference.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a feeling of otherness

Focuses on the subjective emotional experience of being different.

a consciousness of disparity

Emphasizes the awareness of inequalities or imbalances.

a perception of uniqueness

Highlights the recognition of being distinct and individual.

an awareness of contrast

Stresses the understanding of differences between things.

a recognition of distinction

Focuses on acknowledging clear and important differences.

a sensitivity to divergence

Highlights an acute awareness of differing paths or opinions.

a knowledge of separateness

Underscores the understanding of being distinct and not connected.

a recognition of variance

Highlights the acknowledgement of varying conditions or amounts.

a grasp of dissimilarity

Emphasizes the understanding of a lack of resemblance.

an appreciation of individuality

Focuses on valuing the qualities that make someone or something unique.

FAQs

How can I use "a sense of difference" in a sentence?

You can use "a sense of difference" to describe a feeling of being distinct or different from others, or an awareness of contrasts. For example, "Growing up in a multicultural environment gave her "a sense of difference" from her peers who had less exposure to diverse cultures."

What's a more formal way to express "a sense of difference"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "an awareness of disparity" or "a perception of uniqueness" to convey "a sense of difference" with greater precision.

Is it correct to say "a sense for difference" instead of "a sense of difference"?

While "a sense for difference" isn't grammatically incorrect, it's less common. "A sense of difference" typically refers to an awareness or feeling, whereas "a sense for" usually implies an intuitive understanding or skill. Thus, "a sense of difference" is more frequently used when describing subjective experiences.

What can I say instead of "a sense of difference" when discussing cultural distinctions?

When discussing cultural distinctions, alternatives to "a sense of difference" might include "an appreciation of cultural diversity" or "an awareness of cultural nuances", depending on the specific context.