a strong contrast

USAGE SUMMARY

"a strong contrast" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when you want to emphasize the differences between two things or ideas. For example, "The bright colors of the sunset were in strong contrast to the darkness of night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The technique creates a strong contrast between light and shade, creating an impression of low relief.

Encyclopedia Britannica

This was a strong contrast to traditions that had prevailed for many centuries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

She provides a strong contrast to her sanctimonious, humourless sister Mary, who spouts empty platitudes about acceptable female conduct.

The Guardian - Books

"The tool works best if the area of interest in your photo has a strong contrast," Ms. Sabet-Wasinger said.

The New York Times - Tech

The results were a strong contrast to the same quarter in 2011 when it reported a rare quarterly loss.

The New York Times

"These businesses offer a strong contrast to Enron," said Richard A. Cook, president of the Hundred Year Association of New York, 200 business and nonprofit institutions.

The New York Times

Ms. Rohrer, another debutante, has a nice, clear, high mezzo (a strong contrast to Ms. Allyn's nearly contralto darkness) but often missed the center of her tones.

The New York Times - Arts

It was a strong contrast with his predecessor Warren Truss, who would not even urge a vote for Corboy over Mirabella during his Indi campaigning.

The Guardian

Mr. Santorum continues to insist that Mr. Romney would be a weak nominee in the general election, saying he would not present a strong contrast to Mr. Obama.

The New York Times

"There's a strong contrast between the two on issues that are important to women," said Jonathan Hurst, a senior adviser to Ms. Grimes's campaign.

The New York Times

In humid midlatitude climates where a strong contrast between winter and summer temperatures exists, there is an annual cycle of the water content of soils.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a strong contrast", ensure that the items being contrasted are clearly defined to highlight the significance of the difference.

Common error

Avoid using "a strong contrast" when the difference is already self-evident. Instead, use it to emphasize differences that might not be immediately apparent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a strong contrast" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It emphasizes the existence of notable differences between two or more entities. As shown by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a strong contrast" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that highlights significant differences between two or more entities. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage across various contexts. It is most frequently found in news, media, and scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure the items being contrasted are clearly defined. Alternatives include "stark difference" or "marked divergence". Avoid using it when the difference is already self-evident to prevent redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stark difference

Replaces "contrast" with "difference" and "strong" with "stark", suggesting a very clear and obvious distinction.

sharp distinction

Substitutes "contrast" with "distinction" and "strong" with "sharp", indicating a clear and well-defined difference.

marked divergence

Uses "divergence" instead of "contrast", highlighting a separation or deviation, and "marked" instead of "strong".

significant disparity

Employs "disparity" to denote inequality or difference, with "significant" indicating a notable degree.

clear differentiation

Uses "differentiation" instead of "contrast", stressing the act of distinguishing, and "clear" for emphasis.

pronounced variation

Replaces "contrast" with "variation", focusing on the extent of change or difference, and uses "pronounced" to mean easily noticeable.

noticeable divergence

Focuses on the act of diverging or moving apart, emphasizing its easy noticeability.

evident dissimilarity

Replaces "contrast" with "dissimilarity", emphasizing the state of being unlike, and "evident" to indicate clarity.

major discrepancy

Employs "discrepancy" to denote a difference or inconsistency, with "major" indicating a significant degree.

obvious incongruity

Substitutes "contrast" with "incongruity", highlighting a lack of harmony or compatibility, and "obvious" to denote easy visibility.

FAQs

How can I use "a strong contrast" in a sentence?

You can use "a strong contrast" to highlight notable differences between two or more things. For example, "There is "a strong contrast" between the two approaches."

What are some alternatives to "a strong contrast"?

Some alternatives include "stark difference", "marked divergence", or "significant disparity" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "a strong contrast"?

Use "a strong contrast" when you want to emphasize a significant and easily noticeable difference. It's suitable when the difference is a key point of discussion.

What's the difference between "a strong contrast" and "a slight contrast"?

"A strong contrast" indicates a significant and noticeable difference, while "a slight contrast" suggests a small or subtle difference. The choice depends on the magnitude of the difference you want to convey.