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CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
determine the difference between
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE 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
Alternative expressions(20)
separate between
determining between
identified between
discriminate between
differentiate between
ascertain the difference between
identify between
compare and contrast
determine between
recognize the difference between
delineate between
discern between
contrast between
distinguish between
identified the difference between
tell the difference between
draw a distinction between
discerning the difference between
demarcate between
discern the difference between
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
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.
Science
To our knowledge, neither of those nations have the sophisticated sensors that can determine the difference between a natural N.E.O.
News & Media
Those pennies often determine the difference between profit and loss — and in years without subsidies, turbine shipments drop sharply.
News & Media
To detect chemical weapons, Captain Regalbuto said, attaining "the ability to determine the difference between legitimate cargo and illegitimate cargo" is of "monumental" importance.
News & Media
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.
News & Media
The online automotive information service Edmunds.com has a calculator on its Web site that lets consumers determine the difference between the two.
News & Media
The plaintiffs have developed a formula to determine the difference between what women were paid and what they should have been paid.
News & Media
As bitrates climbed above 128 kbps, however, our guesses became increasingly haphazard; none of us could determine the difference between 320 kbps and lossless.
News & Media
How you'd determine the difference between a digital magazine and a digital newspaper, I'm not sure (something to do with digital staples?!).
News & Media
Each material has a unique "seismic velocity," which helps determine the difference between rock and oil.
News & Media
The presence of this newly advantageous allele might determine the difference between survival and extinction.
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".
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
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.
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(6)
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.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.6/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested