distinguished between

USAGE SUMMARY

"distinguished between" is an appropriate phrase to use in written English.
It is usually used to show the difference between two separate objects or ideas. For example, you could use it in a sentence like this: "The professor distinguished between real and perceived differences among the students."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Rodin distinguished between two levels of plaster.

The Guardian

Spider assemblages were distinguished between rotations.

Forest Ecology and Management

She distinguished between EU competences and national ones.

The Guardian

The church has always distinguished between orientation and acting out.

The New York Times

Participants also distinguished between curtailment, efficiency and maintenance-type behaviours.

Journal of Environmental Psychology

Some economists distinguished between good and bad corruption.

The Economist

Locke distinguished between primary and secondary qualities, as Galileo did.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Sartre distinguished between two basic kinds of being.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"They have never distinguished between the innocent and the guilty".

The New York Times

However, major features were distinguished between the data sets.

Combustion and Flame

The study distinguished between e-mail, telephone conversations and face-to-face visits.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "distinguished between" with a detailed explanation of the differing attributes. For example, "The study "distinguished between" short-term and long-term effects by examining data across a five-year period".

Common error

Avoid using "distinguished between" without clarifying the basis for the distinction. For example, instead of saying "The author "distinguished between" the two concepts", specify "The author "distinguished between" the two concepts based on their levels of abstraction and practical applications".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "distinguished between" functions as a verb phrase that indicates the act of recognizing or establishing a difference between two or more items or concepts. It emphasizes discernment and the ability to perceive distinct characteristics. This is supported by Ludwig's examples which shows its consistent use in academic, news, and general writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

35%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

4%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "distinguished between" is a commonly used and grammatically correct verb phrase used to highlight clear differences between two or more entities. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate use across various contexts, particularly in scientific, news, and encyclopedia domains. When employing this phrase, remember to clarify the criteria for differentiation to enhance clarity. For scenarios where the distinction basis is implicitly understood or already established in the sentence’s premise (a less typical scenario), avoid repeating what is already known to maintain a fluent writing style. Alternatives such as "differentiated between" or "drew a distinction between" offer slight nuances in emphasis while maintaining a similar core meaning. Avoid vagueness and always aim for clarity to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differentiated between

Synonymous; emphasizes a clearer separation based on specific criteria.

drew a distinction between

Highlights the act of creating or noticing a difference.

made a distinction between

Similar to "drew a distinction", but focuses on the action of differentiating.

identified differences between

Focuses on the act of recognizing dissimilarities.

discriminated between

Implies a more critical or judgmental distinction, sometimes with negative connotations.

delineated between

Indicates a more precise and formal boundary.

contrasted

Highlights differences by comparing opposite qualities.

separated

General term for creating division; less precise than "distinguished".

set apart

Emphasizes uniqueness or individuality.

categorized

Implies sorting or classifying into different groups.

FAQs

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

Use "distinguished between" to show a clear difference between two or more things. For example: "The researcher "distinguished between" correlation and causation in the study results."

What are some alternatives to "distinguished between"?

Alternatives include "differentiated between", "discriminated between", or "drew a distinction between" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "distinguished between" or "made a distinction between"?

Both "distinguished between" and "made a distinction between" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice often depends on stylistic preference.

What's the nuance when using "distinguished between" compared to other similar phrases?

"Distinguished between" implies a careful and reasoned assessment to highlight differences. "Separated" may suggest a physical division, while "contrasted" emphasizes opposing qualities.