great difference

USAGE SUMMARY

"great difference" is a perfectly acceptable and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used to describe a large difference between two things. For example: "There is a great difference between the quality of his work before and after he moved to Japan."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Thus, there is no great difference between different devices.

Journal of Cloud Computing

However, using different correlations for calculation leads to a great difference in safety margin of SCWR.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

There is great difference among the microRNA-target lists predicted by different algorithms.

BMC Systems Biology

A great difference.

The Guardian - Tech

And in that lies the great difference.

The Guardian - Arts

There was a great difference in maturity".

The Guardian - Books

The great difference — the great difference — is that I intend to win it first".

The New York Times

Five years would probably make a great difference.

The New York Times - Food

I think he can make a great difference".

The New York Times - Sports

Here is the great difference between reading and writing.

The New York Times - Books

"I knew Mussolini, and there is a great difference.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "great difference", ensure the context clearly defines the elements being compared to maximize clarity and impact. For example, instead of saying "There's a great difference", specify, "There's a great difference in fuel efficiency between the two models."

Common error

Avoid using "great difference" when the contrast is already apparent. Instead, provide specific details about the difference, rather than just stating its magnitude.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great difference" functions as a noun phrase, where "great" modifies the noun "difference". It typically serves to emphasize the magnitude or significance of a distinction between two or more entities. Ludwig AI also confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

55%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "great difference" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a significant distinction between two or more things. As Ludwig AI points out, its usage is widespread and accepted. It functions as a noun phrase, emphasizing the magnitude of the difference. While alternatives like "significant disparity" or "marked contrast" exist, "great difference" remains a straightforward and widely understood choice. The best practice is to ensure the context clearly defines what is being compared. Avoid stating the obvious; provide specific details about the difference rather than merely stating its magnitude. The phrase is used across many contexts, especially in News & Media and Science.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant disparity

Highlights a notable inequality or difference between things.

marked contrast

Emphasizes a clear and easily observable difference.

substantial variation

Focuses on the extent to which things differ from each other.

considerable divergence

Indicates a significant departure or deviation.

pronounced distinction

Stresses a very noticeable and obvious difference.

noticeable difference

Highlights that the difference is easily seen or detected.

major deviation

Indicates a significant departure from a standard or norm.

striking contrast

Emphasizes the impact and obviousness of the difference.

clear distinction

Highlights that the difference is unambiguous and easy to understand.

radical departure

Indicates a fundamental and dramatic shift or change.

FAQs

How can I use "great difference" in a sentence?

Use "great difference" to highlight a substantial distinction between two or more things. For example, "There's a "great difference" in opinion between the two parties".

What are some alternatives to "great difference"?

You can use alternatives such as "significant disparity", "marked contrast", or "substantial variation" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "great difference" or "significant difference"?

Both "great difference" and "significant difference" are correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice depends on the desired emphasis and context, with ""great difference"" perhaps implying a larger magnitude.

What's the difference between "great difference" and "slight difference"?

"Great difference" indicates a large and noticeable distinction, while "slight difference" implies a minor and less impactful distinction. The choice depends on the actual degree of dissimilarity you want to convey.