greatest difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "greatest difference" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the most significant or notable distinction between two or more things. Example: "The greatest difference between the two proposals lies in their budget allocations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But the greatest difference is the passage of time.

The New York Times

But perhaps the greatest difference is the economy.

The New York Times

The greatest difference was in attitudes to food.

The Economist

This spending often makes the greatest difference on election day.

The Economist

"The greatest difference," Theroux writes when comparing the two journeys, "was in me.

The Guardian - Books

But it has probably made the greatest difference to enthusiasts of lesser-known sports.

The New York Times - Tech

This is the greatest difference between the India of Indira's Emergency and the India of today.

The Guardian - Books

Perhaps the greatest difference with heroin and opioids, caseworkers said, is their iron grasp.

The Guardian

Stress histories from all models are comparable with greatest difference near the excited boundary.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

This frees physicians to spend more time where their expertise makes the greatest difference.

Harvard Business Review

However, differences between the GPS predicted orbits are substantial; the greatest difference is 46 mm.

Advances in Space Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "greatest difference", ensure you clearly identify the items being compared to provide context for the comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "greatest difference" without specifying what is being compared. For example, instead of saying "The greatest difference was significant", specify "The greatest difference between the two methods was significant."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "greatest difference" functions as a noun phrase, where 'greatest' modifies 'difference'. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, identifying the most significant distinction between two or more items. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "greatest difference" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to emphasize the most significant distinction between two or more entities across various contexts, particularly in science, news, and formal writing. While alternatives like "most significant disparity" or "principal distinction" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to clearly identify the compared items when using this phrase to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

most significant disparity

Emphasizes the inequality or imbalance as the most important difference.

major point of divergence

Highlights the key area where things start to differ significantly.

principal distinction

Focuses on the main characteristic that sets things apart.

primary contrast

Stresses the opposition or dissimilarity as being the most important.

paramount variation

Highlights the most important change or deviation.

key differentiating factor

Emphasizes the element that causes the most separation or distinction.

central discrepancy

Focuses on the main inconsistency or disagreement.

biggest contrast

A more informal way to say "greatest difference".

most marked difference

Highlights that the difference is very noticeable or easily seen.

outstanding dissimilarity

Emphasizes that the lack of similarity is prominent or striking.

FAQs

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

You can use "greatest difference" to highlight the most significant distinction between two or more things. For example: "The "greatest difference" between the two proposals lies in their budget allocations".

What is an alternative to saying "greatest difference"?

Alternatives include "most significant disparity", "principal distinction", or "major point of divergence", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "biggest difference" instead of "greatest difference"?

Yes, "biggest difference" is a more informal but acceptable alternative to "greatest difference". The choice depends on the formality of the context.

What makes "greatest difference" different from "significant difference"?

"Greatest difference" implies the largest or most important distinction, while "significant difference" simply indicates that the difference is noteworthy or statistically meaningful, without necessarily being the largest.