are two different things

USAGE SUMMARY

'are two different things' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe two objects or concepts that are not related or similar. For example, "Chess and basketball are two different things."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Those are two different things".

The New York Times - Sports

"These are two different things.

The New York Times - Sports

They are two different things".

The Guardian

"Restraint and freeze are two different things".

The Economist

"There are two different things there.

The Guardian - Sport

"Theory and practice are two different things".

The New York Times

And those are two different things.

The New York Times

Flotsam and jetsam are two different things.

The New York Times - Books

Seasoning and flavouring are two different things.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"But quality and style are two different things.

The New York Times - Food

Uncontrolled and controlled immigration are two different things".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are two different things" to clearly distinguish between concepts that are often confused or conflated. This helps in promoting clarity and avoiding misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "are two different things" when the distinction is already self-evident. Choose a more nuanced way to express differences in such cases to maintain the reader's engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are two different things" serves as a predicate in sentences, emphasizing the distinction between two subjects. Ludwig examples show it clarifying concepts, like "quality and style" or "freedom and democracy."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are two different things" effectively differentiates between concepts, clarifying distinctions and preventing misunderstandings. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, especially in news and media, science and wiki sources. When writing, remember to use this phrase when you want to emphasize that certain two concepts or subjects, while possibly related, should be clearly distinguished.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are not the same

Offers a simpler, more direct way of stating the difference.

are unrelated

Highlights the lack of connection or association between the two things.

constitute distinct entities

Emphasizes the separate and independent nature of the two things.

have distinct characteristics

Focuses on the unique attributes of each of the two things.

represent disparate concepts

Highlights the conceptual divergence between the two things.

belong to separate categories

Focuses on the classification of the two things into distinct groups.

differ significantly

Focuses on the degree of difference between the two things.

are mutually exclusive

Highlights that the two things cannot coexist or overlap.

bear no resemblance to each other

Emphasizes the lack of similarity between the two things.

are worlds apart

Uses a metaphor to highlight the vast difference between the two things.

FAQs

How can I use "are two different things" in a sentence?

You can use "are two different things" to emphasize the distinction between two concepts or objects. For example, "Wanting something and needing something "are two different things"".

What's the difference between "are two different things" and "are not the same"?

"Are two different things" emphasizes the distinct nature of the subjects, while "are not the same" simply states a lack of equivalence. The former often implies a deeper divergence.

Which is correct, "are two different things" or "is two different things"?

"Are two different things" is correct when referring to two plural subjects. "Is two different things" is grammatically incorrect in standard English.

What can I say instead of "are two different things"?

Alternatives include "constitute distinct entities", "represent disparate concepts", or "differ significantly", depending on the specific context.