discriminate with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discriminate with" is not commonly used in written English and may lead to confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing the act of making distinctions or choices, but it is generally better to use more standard phrases. Example: "It is important to discriminate with care when selecting candidates for the job."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

The new-fangled versions of this law pushed and passed by Republicans this year, however, added clauses to provide individuals and businesses that unlawfully discriminate with protection from lawsuits alleging unlawful discrimination.

Huffington Post

Specialist engines like Google Scholar can discriminate with astonishing precision between relevant and irrelevant, firsthand and derivative information.

The New Yorker

"We can't afford to roll back the strides we've made in civil rights and allow religious groups to discriminate with federal funds".

The New York Times

"Support for a broad definition of the ministerial exception should not imply support for a broad license to discriminate with impunity".

The New York Times

I offered him something to drink, just as my mother would have; my mother did not discriminate with the coffeepot: Veterinarians, hired hands, cattle buyers, cleaning women — all drank coffee and ate toast at her table.

The New York Times

Patrick Corrigan, Amnesty's programme director in Northern Ireland, said: "States may not discriminate with regards to the right to marry and found a family on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

Action potentials were discriminated with a window discriminator (Bak Electronics, Mount Airy, MD, USA).

European Journal of Neuroscience

"Then, as now, vigilantes terrorized and discriminated with guns.

The New York Times

Various faults are easily discriminated with the derivatives of the currents.

Journal of Modern Power Systems and Clean Energy

Emotions can be discriminated with either discrete classification spaces or dimensional spaces.

Brain Informatics

The four experimental groups of fish were clearly discriminated with this statistical tool.

International Aquatic Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the ability to discern subtle differences, consider using "differentiate with precision" or "distinguish with accuracy" instead of "discriminate with" for enhanced clarity and impact.

Common error

Be mindful of the negative connotations associated with "discriminate." While it can mean simply 'to distinguish', it often implies unfair or prejudicial treatment. Choose a more neutral term like "distinguish" or "differentiate" unless you specifically intend to convey prejudice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discriminate with" primarily functions as a verb phrase with a preposition. It describes the act of making a distinction or differentiation, often implying a level of selectivity or careful judgment. As Ludwig AI suggests, there are more common and clearer alternatives available.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "discriminate with" is used to convey the act of distinguishing or differentiating based on certain criteria. Ludwig AI highlights that while grammatically acceptable, it is not as common as alternatives like "distinguish with" or "differentiate with". The phrase is most frequently found in scientific and news contexts, with a neutral to formal register. Because "discriminate" can have negative connotations related to prejudice, writers should use caution and consider more neutral terms unless they intend to convey unfair or prejudicial treatment. Alternatives like "distinguish with" and "differentiate with" often provide greater clarity and avoid unintended negative implications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differentiate through

Highlights the action of perceiving or representing something as being different. This alternative is slightly more abstract.

differentiate using

Focuses on the act of distinguishing based on specific criteria or tools. It shifts the emphasis from the act of discriminating to the method employed.

distinguish by means of

Emphasizes the instrument or method used to make a distinction. It's more formal and precise.

make distinctions through

Highlights the process of creating separations or categories, using a particular method or approach.

exercise bias through

Directly addresses the application of prejudice or favoritism in decision-making or treatment.

apply discrimination via

Focuses on the active implementation of discriminatory practices through specific channels or mechanisms.

segregate based on

Implies a separation or division of groups or individuals based on certain characteristics.

separate using

Focuses on the act of dividing or setting apart, highlighting the tools or methods employed.

show partiality through

Highlights the demonstration of favoritism or preferential treatment in actions or decisions.

treat unequally via

Emphasizes the unequal treatment of individuals or groups, specifying the means or channels through which this occurs.

FAQs

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

While "discriminate with" is grammatically acceptable, it's more common and often clearer to use alternatives like "distinguish with" or "differentiate with" depending on the context. For example, "The sensor can discriminate with satisfactory recoveries the target analyte in different real matrices".

What does "discriminate with" mean?

"Discriminate with" generally means to make a distinction based on certain criteria, often implying careful selection or judgment. However, the term "discriminate" can also carry negative connotations related to prejudice.

Is it better to say "discriminate with" or "discriminate against"?

"Discriminate against" is used to describe unfair or prejudicial treatment. "Discriminate with", while less common, suggests making a distinction, which might be neutral or positive depending on the context. Choose your words carefully to convey your intended meaning.

What are some alternatives to "discriminate with"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "discriminate with" include "distinguish with", "differentiate with", "discern with", or "discriminate between". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.