a significant distinction

USAGE SUMMARY

"a significant distinction" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a clear and important difference between two things or ideas. This phrase is often used in academic or professional writing. Example: "There is a significant distinction between science and philosophy, as they use different methods to understand the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

That, he said, was a significant distinction.

The New York Times

That, of course, is a significant distinction.

The New York Times - Arts

They also have a significant distinction: they always back the winner.

The New Yorker

It was not unions that voted for Ed Miliband, but affiliated union members, a significant distinction.

The Guardian

(It is a significant distinction: Wanamaker himself always said that he was a merchant, not a capitalist).

The New Yorker

This detail illuminates a significant distinction between "Lady Bird" and a wide range of notable independent films.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

Second, after removing the main source of variation, unsupervised analysis of gene expression profiles showed a highly significant distinction between two groups, one including positive controls and a sub set of commercial samples, the other comprising all negative controls and the remaining unknown individuals.

BMC Veterinary Research

It is hard, and perhaps not possible, to forge a theoretically significant distinction between working with one's hands and working with one's mind.

The New York Times

A semantically significant distinction between inflected and uninflected predicate adjectives has emerged, while the difference between weak and strong adjectives, a characteristic of other Germanic languages, has effectively disappeared.

Encyclopedia Britannica

A more significant distinction: The PSE's price-weighted structure.

Forbes

This is a morally significant distinction but it is not the distinction between doing and allowing.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a significant distinction", ensure the context clearly establishes what two or more entities are being compared and why the difference matters. For instance, rather than saying "There's a significant distinction", clarify: "There's a significant distinction between X and Y, particularly in terms of Z."

Common error

Avoid using "a significant distinction" when the difference is minor or trivial. Ensure that the distinction genuinely impacts the subject matter; otherwise, it can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a significant distinction" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies and emphasizes an important difference between two or more entities. Ludwig examples showcase its role in academic, news, and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a significant distinction" effectively highlights an important difference between two or more entities. It's grammatically sound and commonly used across diverse sources, particularly in science and news. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and suitable for formal and analytical contexts. When using this phrase, make sure the distinction truly matters and avoid overstating its importance. Consider alternatives like "a notable difference" or "a major difference" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a notable difference

Replaces 'distinction' with 'difference' and 'significant' with 'notable', keeping the core meaning intact.

a major difference

Uses 'major' instead of 'significant' to emphasize the importance of the difference.

a marked difference

Employs 'marked' to highlight that the difference is easily noticeable.

a substantial difference

Substitutes 'significant' with 'substantial', indicating a considerable amount or size of difference.

an important difference

Replaces 'significant' with 'important' to emphasize the relevance of the difference.

a key difference

Uses 'key' to denote that the difference is crucial or essential.

a considerable contrast

Replaces 'distinction' with 'contrast' and 'significant' with 'considerable', focusing on the degree of dissimilarity.

a crucial difference

Employs 'crucial' to emphasize the critical importance of the difference.

a meaningful distinction

Substitutes 'significant' with 'meaningful', suggesting the distinction has importance or purpose.

a clear difference

Replaces 'significant' with 'clear', focusing on the obvious or easily perceived nature of the difference.

FAQs

How can I use "a significant distinction" in a sentence?

Use "a significant distinction" to highlight an important difference between two or more things. For example, "There's "a significant distinction" between theoretical knowledge and practical application."

What are some alternatives to saying "a significant distinction"?

You can use alternatives like "a notable difference", "a major difference", or "a marked difference" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a significant distinction"?

Use "a significant distinction" when you want to emphasize that a difference is not just present, but also has important consequences or implications. It's suitable for formal writing and analytical contexts.

Is there a difference between "a significant distinction" and "a subtle difference"?

Yes, ""a significant distinction"" implies a notable and impactful difference, while "a subtle difference" refers to a difference that is not immediately obvious and may require careful observation to detect.