distinguish among

USAGE SUMMARY

'distinguish among' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to refer to the act of recognizing or noting the differences between two or more things. For example, "The professor asked the students to distinguish among the four types of flowers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it's important to distinguish among risks.

The Economist

The study did not distinguish among beer, wine and liquor.

The Washington Post

It is no longer trying to distinguish among different diseases.

The New York Times

It does not distinguish among airlines in those countries.

The New York Times

But "Red Atom" does not distinguish among causes.

The New York Times - Books

The poll did not distinguish among C-Span's three channels.

The New York Times - Arts

Foreign investors are better able to distinguish among euro members.

The Economist

Strictly speaking, the executive might distinguish among four, rather than between two, different types of occurrences.

Harvard Business Review

The ONS does not distinguish among different Christian denominations any more than the census did.

The Guardian - Opinion

We found that we were able to distinguish among two main types of water.

The New York Times - Arts

Botanists distinguish among true roots, storage roots, modified stem roots, rhizomes, tubers, and bulbs.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "distinguish among", ensure you have a clear criterion or set of criteria for making the distinctions. This will provide clarity and avoid ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "distinguish among" without specifying the relevant attributes or characteristics used for differentiation. Failing to do so can leave your audience wondering what the distinctions are based on.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distinguish among" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of recognizing or identifying differences between multiple entities. Ludwig examples show its use in various contexts to highlight the ability to perceive distinct characteristics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "distinguish among" is a verb phrase used to highlight the act of recognizing or identifying differences between multiple items. It functions primarily to delineate differences and provide clarity in various contexts, as demonstrated by Ludwig. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used in different settings.

Its register leans towards neutral to formal, making it suitable for academic, professional, and news-related content. The phrase is very common, with its most frequent appearances in scientific, news and media, and academic sources. When using this phrase, ensure to provide clear criteria for making the distinctions to avoid ambiguity. Remember to use "distinguish among" when comparing three or more items.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differentiate between

Focuses on highlighting the differences between two options, a more limited scope compared to the original phrase.

discriminate between

Implies a more critical or evaluative process of distinguishing differences, often in the context of decision-making.

discern differences

Emphasizes the act of perceiving or recognizing the variations that exist.

tell apart

Suggests an ability to identify the unique qualities that separate multiple entities.

separate out

Indicates a process of categorizing or dividing items based on their distinct characteristics.

identify variations

Highlights the recognition of different forms or instances within a set.

delineate unique

Emphasizes the precise definition or outlining of distinct qualities.

contrast various

Focuses on comparing different elements to emphasize their dissimilarities.

classify diverse

Involves the systematic grouping of items based on their distinct traits, often within a structured framework.

segregate diverse

Suggests a separation based on variety and differences, often with the goal of isolating specific types.

FAQs

How can I use "distinguish among" in a sentence?

You can use "distinguish among" when you want to show the differences between three or more items. For example, "Botanists distinguish among true roots, storage roots, and modified stem roots."

What is a more formal way to say "distinguish among"?

More formal alternatives include phrases like "differentiate between" or "discern differences", which convey a similar meaning with a slightly more elevated tone.

Is it correct to say "distinguish between" instead of "distinguish among"?

While "distinguish between" is commonly used, it typically applies when comparing only two items. "Distinguish among" is more appropriate when comparing three or more items. Using "distinguish between" for multiple items is not grammatically incorrect, but it can lack precision.

What's the difference between "distinguish among" and "differentiate between"?

"Distinguish among" is generally used when comparing three or more items, while "differentiate between" is used for two items. Although the two can be used interchangeably, differentiate is best used when highlighting the differences or contrast and distinguish is best when recognizing it.