determine the difference between

USAGE SUMMARY

'determine the difference between' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to identify the differences between two or more things. For example: In order to make an informed decision, it is important to determine the difference between the two options.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This differential procedure allowed us to determine the difference between the Young's modulus of the different films based on the different direction of the nano-strings.

Nanoscale Research Letters

To our knowledge, neither of those nations have the sophisticated sensors that can determine the difference between a natural N.E.O.

The New York Times

Those pennies often determine the difference between profit and loss — and in years without subsidies, turbine shipments drop sharply.

The New Yorker

To detect chemical weapons, Captain Regalbuto said, attaining "the ability to determine the difference between legitimate cargo and illegitimate cargo" is of "monumental" importance.

The New York Times

Opposition figures have used corruption accusations to undermine rivals in the Socialist-led coalition government, making it hard to determine the difference between pure and murky motives.

The New York Times

The online automotive information service Edmunds.com has a calculator on its Web site that lets consumers determine the difference between the two.

The New York Times

The plaintiffs have developed a formula to determine the difference between what women were paid and what they should have been paid.

The New York Times

As bitrates climbed above 128 kbps, however, our guesses became increasingly haphazard; none of us could determine the difference between 320 kbps and lossless.

The New York Times - Tech

How you'd determine the difference between a digital magazine and a digital newspaper, I'm not sure (something to do with digital staples?!).

The Guardian

Each material has a unique "seismic velocity," which helps determine the difference between rock and oil.

Forbes

The presence of this newly advantageous allele might determine the difference between survival and extinction.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "determine the difference between", ensure you clearly specify the items or concepts being compared to avoid ambiguity. For example, "determine the difference between correlation and causation".

Common error

Avoid using excessively complex language when simpler terms like "distinguish" or "differentiate" can effectively convey the same meaning as "determine the difference between".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "determine the difference between" functions as a verbal phrase used to express the action of identifying or establishing the distinctions between two or more entities. It explicitly indicates an effort to find and understand what sets things apart. According to Ludwig, the phrase is used correctly and is very common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "determine the difference between" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase for expressing the act of distinguishing between two or more things. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s versatile, fitting comfortably in scientific, journalistic, and business contexts. While shorter synonyms such as "distinguish" and "differentiate" exist, this phrase offers precision and clarity, particularly when investigation or analysis is involved. When writing, aim to provide clear context, and while brevity is valuable, remember that "determine the difference between" explicitly highlights a comparative process. Usage spans formal to neutral registers, with the majority of examples appearing in scientific and news media outlets.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinguish between

A shorter and more direct way of expressing the same concept.

differentiate between

Highlights the act of pointing out the diversities of something.

identify the difference between

A more straightforward way to say "determine the difference between".

discern the difference between

Highlights the use of perception or insight to recognize the difference.

ascertain the difference between

Emphasizes discovering the difference through investigation.

establish the difference between

Suggests making the difference clear and recognized.

calculate the difference between

Focuses on quantifying the difference rather than just identifying it.

delineate the difference between

Implies drawing a precise boundary or distinction.

discuss the difference between

Highlights talking about the dissimilarities of something.

contrast

A more succinct term to compare two items to highlight their dissimilarities.

FAQs

How can I use "determine the difference between" in a sentence?

You can use "determine the difference between" when you need to highlight the act of distinguishing or differentiating items or concepts. For example, "Researchers aimed to determine the difference between the effects of the two drugs".

What are some alternatives to "determine the difference between"?

You can use alternatives like "distinguish between", "differentiate between", or "discern the difference between" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "determine the difference between" or a shorter alternative?

While "determine the difference between" is correct, consider using shorter alternatives like "distinguish between" or "differentiate between" for conciseness, especially in formal writing.

What's the nuance between "determine the difference between" and "identify the difference between"?

"Determine the difference between" implies a process of investigation or analysis to find the dissimilarities. "Identify the difference between", on the other hand, suggests a more straightforward recognition of existing dissimilarities.