distinguish at

USAGE SUMMARY

"distinguish at" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the ability to recognize or tell the difference between two or more things at a specific point or in a particular situation. Example: The expert was able to distinguish at which stage of the production process the error had occurred.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One can distinguish at least two significant activations at different spatial regions.

Advances in Space Research

His colleagues are starting to consider whether to distinguish at all between students' virtual and real experiences.

The Guardian

Sherlock Holmes, the greatest scientist-sleuth, was able to distinguish at a glance the ash of any known cigar brand.

The Guardian - Books

Juvenile (males): Juvenile males have the same coloration of females and are difficult to distinguish at a young age (Nogueira and Alves 2008).

Cornell University

We developed a reproducible, sensitive and specific typing method for T. vaginalis, and were able to distinguish at least eight T. vaginalis actin genotypes.

Clinical Microbiology and Infection

This is why Romney's positions on Afghanistan and Iran, under the rhetoric, are hard to distinguish from Obama's – and why they can be hard to distinguish at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

Indeed, some do not distinguish at all, while others have a special case, called the dual, that refers only to a pair of something.

The Economist

It's no surprise that DIY installation is frowned upon by the security industry, which argues that installation is a skilled task, best left to experts, and that burglars can distinguish at a glance between DIY models and professionally installed systems.

The Guardian - Money

We demonstrate that each cell type (i.e., cancer, blood, bacteria, and yeast) has a characteristic levitation profile, which we distinguish at an unprecedented resolution of 1 × 10 -4) g⋅mL -1).

Stanford University

Industrial as well as academic research has faced this problem in terms of automated filtering methods in order to distinguish, at the receiver-side, legitimate E-mail from spamming.

Fuzzy Sets and Systems

The topographic distribution, severity, and tempo of onset of the myopathy vary widely, and the histological findings distinguish at least five different profiles, which may reflect different pathophysiological processes.

Joint Bone Spine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "distinguish at" when you want to emphasize the ability to recognize or tell the difference between two or more things at a specific point or in a particular situation. For example, "The expert was able to "distinguish at" which stage of the production process the error had occurred."

Common error

Avoid using "distinguish at" for very obvious or simple comparisons. Opt for simpler verbs like "see" or "notice" when the distinction is easily apparent. Overusing "distinguish at" in such contexts can make your writing sound overly formal or verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distinguish at" functions primarily as a verb phrase, indicating the ability to perceive or recognize differences at a specified point, level, or moment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase, found in contexts where precise differentiation is needed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

64%

News & Media

19%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "distinguish at" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that emphasizes the ability to recognize differences at a specific point, level, or moment. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used across various domains, including science, news media, and academia, highlighting its versatility and applicability in formal and neutral registers. The phrase's primary function is to pinpoint the specific moment or context in which discernment occurs. While highly useful, overuse in simple comparisons should be avoided to maintain clarity and conciseness. Alternatives like "differentiate at" or "discern at" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. This makes "distinguish at" a valuable tool for precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differentiate at

Similar to "distinguish at", but emphasizes the act of recognizing a difference.

discern at

Implies a more subtle or refined ability to perceive differences.

differentiate between... at

Explicitly states that you are telling a difference between two or more items.

recognize at

Focuses on identifying something specific at a given point.

determine at

Suggests a more conclusive finding or establishment of a difference.

identify at

Highlights the act of pinpointing or naming something at a certain moment.

tell apart at

An informal way to say differentiate at some level or point.

detect at

Focuses on discovering something, often something not easily noticed.

perceive at

Highlights the use of senses or intuition to notice something.

ascertain at

Implies a process of investigation to establish something definitively at the time.

FAQs

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

You can use "distinguish at" when you want to emphasize the ability to recognize or tell the difference between two or more things at a specific point. For example: "It was hard to "distinguish at" first glance if the painting was authentic".

What are some alternatives to "distinguish at"?

You can use alternatives like "differentiate at", "discern at", or "recognize at" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "at" after "distinguish"?

No, using "at" after "distinguish" depends on the context. "Distinguish" can be used alone, but "distinguish at" is used to specify a particular point or level of differentiation. For example: "They can "distinguish" between different types of birds" vs. "They can "distinguish at" a genetic level".

What is the difference between "distinguish" and "differentiate"?

"Distinguish" and "differentiate" are often used interchangeably, but "differentiate" often implies a more systematic or detailed analysis to identify differences. "Distinguish" can be more general and refer to a simpler recognition of difference.