a strong distinction

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a strong distinction" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when emphasizing a clear and significant difference between two or more things. Example: "There is a strong distinction between the roles of a manager and a leader in an organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

There's a strong distinction between happiness and fun.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Others made a strong distinction between thinking and acting.

The New York Times

"The brain is not making a strong distinction between these forms of intelligence," Barbey said.

The New Yorker

But they are not ideologically motivated, and the Mexican government is trying to make a strong distinction between those things".

The New York Times

"Older readers are conditioned to see a strong distinction between editorial and ads," said Don Morrison, director of media services at Della Femina Rothschild Jeary & Partners.

The New York Times

Despite the efforts of American legislators, and of companies such as BP, Shell and Unilever, to define a strong distinction between these payments and bribes, there is none in practice.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

But the hiring processes and prestige of high school teachers and university faculty members in France are not the same, and a stronger distinction should have been made throughout the article, Valian adds.

Science Magazine

The PCA analysis is largely congruent with the allele sharing tree, but shows a stronger distinction of the two Kerguelen groups and no particular association of the Cochons/Cimetière island samples with the Cameroon/German clade.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

However, interestingly, while both children and adults showed an N2pc to lateral targets and no N2pc to lateral distracters, there was an additional main effect of target location on amplitude for adults which may suggest a stronger distinction between location conditions in adults as compared to children.

Attention, Perception & Psychophysics

"Usually, we try to help survivors of child sexual abuse make a very strong distinction between the past and the present," Silberg, who has given testimony on Amy's behalf for restitution hearings, told me.

The New York Times - Magazine

There is a clear and strong distinction between biosimilarity and interchangeability.

European Journal of Health Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a strong distinction", ensure the context clearly defines the two entities being differentiated. This provides clarity and reinforces the significance of the distinction.

Common error

Avoid using "a strong distinction" when the difference is subtle or minor. Overstating the distinction can weaken your argument and make it seem exaggerated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a strong distinction" functions primarily as a noun phrase that highlights a notable difference or separation. As Ludwig AI points out, it emphasizes a clear and significant difference. It commonly introduces a point of contrast or divergence between two or more entities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a strong distinction" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for emphasizing a notable difference between two or more entities. As Ludwig AI indicates, its strength lies in highlighting clarity and significance. While suitable for various contexts, it is particularly prevalent in scientific, news, and encyclopedic sources, reflecting a neutral to formal register. When employing this phrase, ensure the context clearly defines the entities being differentiated to prevent overstatement or ambiguity. Alternatives such as "a marked difference" or "a significant contrast" may be considered depending on the nuance desired. It is a useful phrase to make clear and authoritative writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a marked difference

Focuses on the obvious and noticeable nature of the difference.

a significant contrast

Emphasizes the degree of difference between the items being compared.

a clear differentiation

Highlights the act of distinguishing or telling apart with clarity.

a pronounced difference

Similar to 'marked difference', indicating an easily noticeable distinction.

a sharp divergence

Suggests a more abrupt or radical departure from a common point.

a definite separation

Stresses the state of being divided or set apart.

a notable disparity

Draws attention to the inequality or imbalance between the items.

a recognized division

Indicates a distinction that is widely acknowledged or accepted.

a considerable gap

Implies a significant space or interval between two points or ideas.

a tangible boundary

Highlights a distinction that can be clearly perceived or experienced.

FAQs

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

You can use "a strong distinction" to emphasize a clear and significant difference between two or more things. For example, "There is a strong distinction between happiness and fun."

What can I say instead of "a strong distinction"?

You can use alternatives like "a marked difference", "a significant contrast", or "a clear differentiation" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "a strong distinction" and "a clear distinction"?

"A strong distinction" emphasizes the magnitude or importance of the difference, while "a clear distinction" focuses on the ease with which the difference can be perceived.

Is it always necessary to use "a strong distinction" when highlighting differences?

No, the necessity depends on the context and the degree of difference you want to emphasize. If the difference is obvious or minor, a simpler phrase like "a difference" or "a distinction" may be more appropriate.