discriminate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "discriminate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation when someone makes a decision or treats a person or group of people differently based on their race, gender, religion, etc. For example, "The judge was accused of discriminating against the defendant because of their religion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: Divestment campaign should discriminate between coal and gas | Letters But to do that they need to be able to move their money around more or less at will.

The Guardian

As a way to tackle America's unusually stubborn chronic unemployment problem, Obama is expected to announce a deal with the leaders of large employers, for example, that will involve them agreeing not to discriminate against the long-term unemployed when making hiring decisions.

The Guardian

Germany has made it clear that it will not rush to change EU treaties, and eastern European ministers have spoken out against curbs on proposed migrant workers' rights, which discriminate against their citizens.

The Guardian

This is disheartening: Even with just 10 total patients treated for Ebola in this country and no transmission from a medical aid worker to another person on US soil, politicians are still escalating anxieties and giving the public permission to discriminate, stigmatize and even hate aid workers like me.

The Guardian - Opinion

You can't discriminate, when there's extreme poverty".

The Guardian

Well, it's tougher for companies to discriminate overtly against them; an entirely new area of law is emerging devoted to just this kind of bias.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Simon Jenkins is confusing freedom of expression with fostering hatred – a tactic much used by those who wish to be free to discriminate against others while being protected from being discriminated against.

The Guardian

Acknowledging the potential difficulties of the scheme, Clegg adds: "The bonds would need to be well-targeted – so that they don't unfairly discriminate against particular groups.

The Guardian

Former professional basketball player Jason Collins, the first openly gay athlete to play in the NBA, tweeted: "@GovPenceIN, is it going to be legal for someone to discriminate against me & others when we come to the #FinalFour?" The LGBT Sports Coalition also called for the NCAA, the Big Ten, the NFL and USA Diving and USA Gymnastics to pull events from Indianapolis over the next 16 months.

The Guardian - Sport

With the Final Four a week away from shining a spotlight on Indianapolis, NCAA president Mark Emmert said Thursday that the governing body for college sports is concerned about an Indiana law that could allow businesses to discriminate against gay people.

The Guardian - Sport

The introduction of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act in September will make it unlawful for any school, further or higher education institution to discriminate against disabled students.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "discriminate", clearly specify the basis of discrimination (e.g., race, gender, religion) to avoid ambiguity and ensure clarity.

Common error

Be careful not to use "discriminate" when simply expressing a preference. "Discrimination" implies unfair or unjust treatment, not just a personal choice.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "discriminate" is as a verb. It describes the action of making distinctions, often with a negative connotation when it implies unfair treatment or prejudice. Ludwig provides examples illustrating both its neutral and negative usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "discriminate" functions primarily as a verb, describing the act of making distinctions, often with implications of unfairness or prejudice. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. It is frequently used in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Scientific domains. While it can simply mean to distinguish, it often carries a negative connotation of biased treatment. When using "discriminate", clarity is key. Always specify the basis of discrimination. Be mindful of the potential for misuse, confusing simple preference with unjust treatment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinguish

Emphasizes the ability to perceive differences clearly and accurately.

differentiate

Focuses on identifying differences between entities without necessarily implying prejudice or bias.

draw a distinction

Emphasizes the creation of a clear boundary or difference between two things.

make distinctions

Focuses on the act of creating categories or divisions based on observed differences.

separate out

Implies a deliberate act of setting something or someone apart from a larger group.

treat unfairly

Highlights the unjust or biased treatment of individuals or groups.

single out

Suggests focusing attention or action on one particular individual or group.

show prejudice

Directly implies bias or preconceived notions influencing treatment.

exercise bias

Implies the active application of preconceived preferences or prejudices.

apply double standards

Highlights the use of different rules or criteria for different groups.

FAQs

How can I use "discriminate" in a sentence?

You can use "discriminate" to describe making distinctions or treating someone unfairly. For example, "The company was accused of discriminating against women".

What can I say instead of "discriminate"?

You can use alternatives like "differentiate", "distinguish", or "treat unfairly" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "discriminate against" or "discriminate between"?

"Discriminate against" implies unfair treatment towards a group, while "discriminate between" suggests making a distinction. Use "discriminate against" when referring to bias.

What's the difference between "discriminate" and "differentiate"?

"Discriminate" often carries a negative connotation of unfairness, while "differentiate" simply means to recognize or express a difference.