at the difference between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at the difference between" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not typically used in standard expressions or contexts. Example: "We need to look at the difference between the two methods to determine which is more effective."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You're looking at the difference between haves and have-nots.

The Guardian - Sport

"Just look at the difference between Mao and Deng.

The New Yorker

Look at the difference between media depictions of Africa and of Asia.

The Guardian - Sport

"Just look at the difference between Kozlov last year and this year," Potvin said.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Golisano... MR. GOLISANO -- I'm always amused at the difference between perception and reality.

The New York Times

I wanted to look at the difference between illusion and reality.

The Guardian - Film

Just look at the difference between the Chicago-Minneapolis and Chicago-St. Louis routes.

The New York Times

"Look at the difference between what those two monuments say," said Mr. Steffen, of Allied Arts.

The New York Times

The paper looks at the difference between these two kinds of uncertainty in flood frequency analysis.

Journal of Hydrology

Look at the difference between June 2011 and June 2014 in the animation of NASA images below.

The Washington Post

"Look at the difference between the U.S. and, say, Germany," Mr. Bullock said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of "at the difference between", use more accurate and standard phrasing such as "regarding the difference between" or "concerning the difference between".

Common error

Many writers mistakenly use "at" before phrases indicating comparison. Ensure you're using the correct preposition (e.g., "regarding", "concerning") or rephrase to avoid prepositional errors altogether.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at the difference between" functions as a prepositional phrase attempting to introduce a comparison. However, it is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. Ludwig indicates this phrasing is not considered correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

21%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The query "at the difference between" is frequently used, especially in News & Media and Science contexts. However, it's crucial to note that this phrase is grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI highlights, standard English prefers alternatives such as "regarding the difference between" or "concerning the difference between". While the intent is to express comparison, using the incorrect phrasing can detract from clear communication and credibility. Therefore, writers should consciously choose more precise and accepted alternatives to ensure grammatical accuracy and enhance the overall quality of their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding the difference between

Replaces "at" with "regarding", offering a more formal and grammatically sound way to introduce the topic of difference.

concerning the difference between

Similar to "regarding", "concerning" provides a slightly more direct way to address the difference.

the distinction between

Focuses on highlighting the contrasting features, replacing "difference" with "distinction" for emphasis.

the contrast between

Substitutes "difference" with "contrast" to emphasize the degree of dissimilarity.

the variance between

Emphasizes statistical or measurable differences, using "variance" to indicate a quantified difference.

comparing X and Y

Simplifies the phrasing to a more direct comparison, naming two entities for clarity.

in comparing X and Y

Adds an introductory preposition to indicate the comparative context explicitly.

the gap between

Focuses on the space or interval separating two entities, especially in quantitative contexts.

disparity between

Highlights differences that are unjust or unequal, often used in social or economic contexts.

dissimilarity between

A formal term that emphasizes the lack of resemblance between two items, moving away from the more conversational "difference".

FAQs

Is "at the difference between" grammatically correct?

No, "at the difference between" is not grammatically correct. It's more appropriate to use phrases like "regarding the difference between" or "concerning the difference between".

What can I say instead of "at the difference between"?

You can use alternatives like "regarding the difference between", "concerning the difference between", or simply "the difference between".

Which is correct, "at the difference between" or "the difference between"?

"The difference between" is the correct and standard phrasing. "At the difference between" is not grammatically sound.

What's the nuance between "the difference between" and "the distinction between"?

"The difference between" generally refers to any kind of dissimilarity. "The distinction between" implies a clearer and more significant difference, often used to categorize or differentiate.