clear distinction

USAGE SUMMARY

'clear distinction' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it when you wish to emphasize that something or someone is different from another thing or person in a very obvious way. For example: "The clear distinction between the two candidates made it easy for voters to make an informed decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The transgenic boundary is the clear distinction.

The New York Times

One clear distinction remains: education level.

The Washington Post

To Berger, it's a clear distinction.

The Washington Post

Be assured, there is a clear distinction.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I'll draw that very clear distinction.

The Guardian - Business

The paper gives a clear distinction between vectors and forms.

Journal of Computational Physics

The results show a clear distinction between strategies.

Speech Communication

Again, make a clear distinction between surrendering and resisting.

Columbia University

She also draws a clear distinction over the immigration issue.

The Guardian

"Now New Yorkers will have a very clear distinction.

The New York Times

The figures show a clear distinction between races.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clear distinction" when you want to emphasize an easily recognizable and important difference between two or more things. It adds clarity and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "clear distinction" when the difference is already implied or obvious from the context. This can make your writing sound repetitive and less impactful. Instead, opt for more concise phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear distinction" functions as a noun phrase, where "clear" modifies the noun "distinction". It describes a noticeable and well-defined difference between two or more things. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

36%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "clear distinction" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that serves to emphasize a noticeable and well-defined difference. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a valid and useful expression. It finds frequent application across diverse fields such as Science, News & Media and Formal & Business settings. When employing this phrase, ensure the difference is genuinely significant and easily recognizable to prevent redundancy. Alternative phrases like "distinct difference" or "obvious contrast" can be used for variety. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinct difference

Emphasizes the difference more strongly than the clarity of the separation.

unmistakable difference

Similar to 'distinct difference', but emphasizes that the difference is hard to miss.

obvious contrast

Highlights the contrast between the items being compared, rather than a separation.

apparent contrast

Implies that the contrast is easily visible or understandable.

evident demarcation

Focuses on setting boundaries more so than a general difference.

sharp differentiation

Highlights a more precise and detailed separation.

palpable disparity

Emphasizes a significant and easily felt difference.

patent divergence

Suggests a branching out or deviation from a common point, making it less about static differences.

noticeable divergence

Focuses more on the act of deviating or moving apart.

visible separation

Focuses on the separateness being clearly seen, which might not always be the focus of "clear distinction".

FAQs

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

Use "clear distinction" to highlight an easily recognizable and important difference, for example: "There is a "clear distinction" between weather and climate".

What are some alternatives to "clear distinction"?

You can use phrases like "distinct difference", "obvious contrast", or "sharp differentiation" depending on the context.

Is "clear distinction" formal or informal language?

"Clear distinction" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, consider using synonyms like "evident demarcation" for more formal writing.

What's the difference between "clear distinction" and "obvious difference"?

While similar, "clear distinction" implies a more defined and important separation, whereas "obvious difference" simply suggests that the difference is easily noticeable. You may also consider "unmistakable difference".