conspicuous difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conspicuous difference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that stands out due to its significant deviation from the norm. For example, "The conspicuous difference between the two twins was their height; one was much taller than the other."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

This conspicuous difference in time at the bedside may illustrate different strategies to accomplish patient care on rounds.

Plosone

Sexual size dimorphism (SSD), where males and females differ in body size, is the most conspicuous difference between the two sexes in many animals.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

As Jaegwon Kim points out in a widely cited critical discussion of Quine, another conspicuous difference between traditional epistemology and what Quine recommends is that they study strikingly different topics (Kim, 1988: 390).

SEP

But there is a conspicuous difference.

The Guardian

It's a worse sign that no one in the film notices this conspicuous difference.

The New York Times

The most conspicuous difference is that Muslims here constitute only about half of the population.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

In only a few cases were there conspicuous differences between the two different annotations (fig. 3).

Genome Biology and Evolution

Nevertheless, there were conspicuous differences between the absolute frequencies from the different scorers.

Archives of Toxicology

The conspicuous differences of total protein content in human whole saliva among different ages and genders and the abundance of glycosylation on salivary proteins indicated the significance of the research regarding age- and gender-associated changes in the glycoproteome of human whole saliva.

Clinical Proteomics

There were conspicuous differences between replicates of similarly managed forests.

Pedobiologia

In some species, there are conspicuous differences in size, shape, and behavior between the sexes.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conspicuous difference" to highlight a specific, easily noticeable distinction between two or more things. It's particularly effective when you want to emphasize the importance or impact of that difference.

Common error

While appropriate in many situations, avoid using "conspicuous difference" too frequently in highly formal or technical writing. Instead, consider more precise terms like "significant variance" or "notable deviation" for greater impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conspicuous difference" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "conspicuous" modifies the noun "difference". As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and widely usable, serving to highlight easily noticeable distinctions.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

59%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "conspicuous difference" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to highlight notable distinctions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, although more precise terms may be preferred in highly formal writing. Its prevalence in scientific and news sources indicates its versatility and broad applicability. Related phrases like "noticeable distinction" or "marked contrast" can be used to add nuance. Remember to use this phrase to draw attention to a clear and easily observable divergence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

noticeable distinction

Emphasizes the ease with which the difference can be observed.

marked contrast

Highlights the degree to which the items being compared diverge.

evident disparity

Focuses on the inequality or imbalance that the difference represents.

striking variation

Implies that the difference is unexpected or impressive.

clear divergence

Suggests that the difference is a departure from a common path or standard.

pronounced difference

Highlights the intensity or degree of the difference.

palpable distinction

Suggests the difference is so clear it's almost tangible or easily perceived.

obvious variation

Emphasizes the lack of subtlety in the difference.

significant discrepancy

Indicates the difference is important and potentially problematic.

remarkable dissimilarity

Underlines how unlike the items being compared are.

FAQs

How can I use "conspicuous difference" in a sentence?

You can use "conspicuous difference" to highlight a notable distinction. For example, "The "conspicuous difference" between the two models is the engine size".

What are some alternatives to "conspicuous difference"?

Some alternatives include "noticeable distinction", "marked contrast", or "evident disparity", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "conspicuous difference" formal or informal?

"Conspicuous difference" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although in highly technical or scientific writing, more precise terms might be preferred.

What is the difference between "conspicuous difference" and "subtle difference"?

"Conspicuous difference" refers to a readily noticeable distinction, whereas "subtle difference" indicates a distinction that is not immediately obvious and requires closer examination.