highlight differences

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highlight differences" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of emphasizing or pointing out the distinctions between two or more items, concepts, or ideas. Example: "In her presentation, she aimed to highlight differences between traditional and modern teaching methods."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Data were also analysed with the purpose to highlight differences and convergences in responses from different groups of stakeholders.

BMC Health Services Research

Expansion and contraction of gene families between species might also highlight differences in bioinformatics analysis carried out for different genomes.

Nature

Their vertical profiles were compared considering the different technical characteristics of corers, in order to highlight differences in data acquisition.

Measurement

The results highlight differences in examined parameters when primary EBF were cultured within these differing conditions.

BMC Veterinary Research

Results highlight differences and similarities among the three fuels tested.

Combustion and Flame

For another, the performances seemed at times designed to highlight differences rather than similarities.

The New York Times - Arts

Two recent books, both brief but scholarly in their treatments of dignity, highlight differences.

Columbia University

But some of the candidates still tried to highlight differences in their approach to ending the war.

The New York Times

And Democrats have rarely missed an opportunity to try to highlight differences between Congressional Republicans and Mr. Bush.

The New York Times

Downing Street conceded that the comments did highlight "differences" between May and David Cameron, although it warned against overstating them.

The Guardian

Pluto in false color NASA released an exaggerated color image of Pluto to highlight differences in surface texture and composition.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "highlight differences", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being compared. Provide specific details about the variations to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "highlight differences" when the variations are minor or insignificant. Emphasizing trivial distinctions can dilute the impact of your message and confuse the audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highlight differences" functions as a verb phrase. It typically introduces a clause that explains how distinctions are being emphasized. Ludwig AI examples showcase its role in academic research, news reporting and general communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

41%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "highlight differences" is a versatile and commonly used expression to emphasize distinctions across various contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a verb phrase with a neutral to formal tone, often appearing in scientific, academic, and news-related content. While grammatically correct, writers should avoid using it for trivial or insignificant differences. Alternatives such as "emphasize differences" or "underscore distinctions" offer similar meanings with slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emphasize differences

Focuses on giving prominence to the dissimilar aspects.

underscore distinctions

Implies drawing attention to the differences to make them clearer.

accentuate contrasts

Suggests making the differences more noticeable or pronounced.

showcase variations

Highlights differences in a way that displays them attractively or favorably.

point out discrepancies

Directly calls attention to inconsistencies or divergences.

call attention to differences

A more direct and less nuanced way of highlighting the distinctions.

distinguish between

Focuses on identifying the unique characteristics of each item.

differentiate between

Similar to "distinguish between" but can also imply creating differences.

draw a distinction

Highlights a clear and significant difference.

contrast aspects

Focuses on comparing different aspects to reveal their differences.

FAQs

How can I use "highlight differences" in a sentence?

You can use "highlight differences" to emphasize the distinctions between two or more things. For example: "The study aimed to highlight differences in patient outcomes between the two treatment groups."

What is a good alternative to "highlight differences"?

Alternatives include "emphasize differences", "underscore distinctions", or "accentuate contrasts", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "highlight differences"?

It's appropriate to use "highlight differences" when you want to draw attention to significant distinctions between items, concepts, or data points, particularly when those differences are crucial for understanding or decision-making.

How does "highlight differences" compare to "identify similarities"?

"Highlight differences" focuses on the dissimilarities between items, while "identify similarities" focuses on their commonalities. Choosing the right phrase depends on whether you want to emphasize what sets things apart or what unites them.