discriminate between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discriminate between" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to compare or differentiate between two or more distinct elements. For example, "The teacher discriminated between the correct and incorrect answers to the student's questions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Scripture doesn't discriminate between anyone," he said.

The Guardian

"Mother Nature doesn't discriminate between economic classes.

The New Yorker

They discriminate between men and women.

The Guardian

This distinction doesn't discriminate between high and low.

The New York Times - Books

Is it ever fair to discriminate between your children?

The Guardian - Money

We can't discriminate between people from different countries," Widodo said.

The Guardian

The war's weapons must discriminate between combatants and noncombatants.

The New York Times

Or do we no longer discriminate between the two?

The Guardian - Opinion

A pigeon can be trained to do discriminate between letters.

The New Yorker

Meno doesn't discriminate between Kindle and paperback.

The Economist

"The police failed to discriminate between lawbreakers and protesters.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "discriminate between", ensure you clearly identify the criteria used for distinguishing between the options. Be specific about what aspects you are comparing.

Common error

Avoid using "discriminate between" in contexts where it might imply unfair or prejudiced judgment. Instead, use more neutral terms like "differentiate" or "distinguish" if your intent is simply to highlight differences without value judgments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discriminate between" functions as a verb phrase, typically followed by nouns or noun phrases, indicating the act of distinguishing or differentiating between two or more entities. Ludwig's AI explains it correctly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

27%

Science

40%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "discriminate between" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for conveying the ability to distinguish or differentiate between entities. As Ludwig AI correctly indicates, its usage is widely accepted and appears across diverse professional contexts, including news, science, and academia. While synonyms like "differentiate between" or "distinguish between" exist, "discriminate between" effectively emphasizes the discerning of notable differences and, when used objectively, adds clarity to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differentiate between

This alternative focuses on recognizing the difference between items.

distinguish between

This option highlights the ability to perceive clear differences.

distinguish among

Focuses on identifying differences within a group of three or more items.

make a distinction between

This emphasizes the act of creating a separation or difference.

tell the difference between

Highlights the ability to perceive differences, often in a practical sense.

discern between

This implies a more subtle or careful perception of differences.

know the difference between

This focuses on possessing the knowledge to differentiate items.

analyze the differences between

This phrase emphasizes the detailed examination of the variations.

contrast

This option focuses on highlighting differences, but does not explicitly mention separating items.

separate

This focuses on physically or conceptually dividing items, lacking the element of comparison.

FAQs

How can I use "discriminate between" in a sentence?

The phrase "discriminate between" is used to express the ability to distinguish differences between two or more things. For example, "The study helped scientists "discriminate between" different types of cells".

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

While both phrases mean to recognize differences, "discriminate between" can sometimes carry a connotation of making a judgment or distinction based on certain criteria, while "differentiate between" is generally more neutral and simply implies recognizing differences. You can use "differentiate between" when you want to be more objective.

What are some alternatives to "discriminate between"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "distinguish between", "differentiate between", or "tell the difference between".

Is it correct to use "discriminate between" in a formal context?

Yes, "discriminate between" is appropriate in formal contexts, particularly in academic, scientific, or business writing, where precise distinctions are important. However, be mindful of potential negative connotations associated with the word "discriminate" and ensure the context is objective and unbiased.