an obvious difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an obvious difference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to highlight a clear and easily noticeable distinction between two or more things. Example: "There is an obvious difference in quality between the two products, which is evident in their performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, an obvious difference is the markedly different genetic makeup of Brazilian strains of T. gondii.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

Under mild WD stress, we also observed an obvious difference between the two DTNs for different molecular function categories.

BMC Genomics

There is an obvious difference.

The New York Times

But there is an obvious difference, too.

The Economist

There is an obvious difference of course.

The Guardian - Opinion

His teammates have noticed an obvious difference in Jones's confidence.

The New York Times - Sports

It can be seen that there exists an obvious difference in the microstructure.

Nature

The results suggest that an obvious difference between experts and novices is their problem-decomposing strategies.

Design Studies

There was an obvious difference of context between Camus and the students he was addressing.

The New York Times

There is an obvious difference in the level of confidence conveyed in each of the above statements.

Yale University

Alfonso Soriano noticed an obvious difference in the Yankees, who shipped him to Texas for Rodriguez in February.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an obvious difference", ensure that the difference you are highlighting is genuinely clear to your audience. If the difference requires explanation, consider rephrasing to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "an obvious difference" to describe trivial or insignificant variations. This can make your writing sound condescending or patronizing. Instead, reserve it for differences that are genuinely noteworthy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an obvious difference" functions as a noun phrase, where "obvious" modifies the noun "difference". It serves to highlight a distinction that is easily perceivable. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's commonly used to introduce comparisons and contrasts in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an obvious difference" is a common and grammatically sound way to highlight a clear distinction. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely used across various fields like science, news, and academia. While its meaning is straightforward, it's crucial to ensure the difference being pointed out is genuinely obvious to the intended audience to avoid ambiguity or condescension. Alternatives like ""a clear distinction"" or "a noticeable disparity" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. When writing, ensure the context warrants the use of "an obvious difference", reserving it for significant distinctions rather than trivial variations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a clear distinction

Replaces "obvious" with "clear", emphasizing ease of perception.

a noticeable disparity

Uses "disparity" to highlight an inequality or contrast that is easily observed.

a marked contrast

Emphasizes the striking nature of the difference.

a distinct variation

Focuses on the presence of a clear variation or change.

a palpable distinction

Highlights a distinction that is easily sensed or perceived.

an evident divergence

Replaces "difference" with "divergence", indicating a separation or deviation that is plain to see.

a plain difference

Uses "plain" instead of "obvious" to suggest a simple and clear distinction.

a manifest difference

Indicates a difference that is readily perceived by the senses and is immediately obvious.

a conspicuous difference

Highlights that the difference is very easy to notice.

a patent difference

Similar to obvious, but suggests the difference is formally or legally recognized.

FAQs

How can I use "an obvious difference" in a sentence?

Use "an obvious difference" to point out a clear and easily noticeable distinction between two or more things. For example, "There is "a clear distinction" between the two approaches in terms of cost and complexity."

What can I say instead of "an obvious difference"?

You can use alternatives such as ""a clear distinction"", "a noticeable disparity", or "a marked contrast" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very obvious difference"?

While grammatically correct, "very obvious difference" can be somewhat redundant. The word "obvious" already implies a high degree of visibility, so consider using stronger synonyms for "difference" or rephrasing the sentence for better impact.

What's the difference between "an obvious difference" and "a subtle difference"?

"An obvious difference" indicates a distinction that is easily noticeable, while "a subtle difference" refers to a distinction that is not immediately apparent and requires closer examination to detect.