it makes a big difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it makes a big difference" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to emphasize the importance of a situation or thing. For example, "Making healthy food choices makes a big difference in your overall health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

And it makes a big difference.

The New York Times

It makes a big difference for us.

The New York Times - Sports

It makes a big difference to me".

The Guardian

It makes a big difference where you sit.

The New Yorker

"Cost truly matters; it makes a big difference.

The New York Times

And to me, it makes a big difference".

The New York Times - Sports

"It makes a big difference to our work to have a good model".

The New York Times

If you don't have that and can't hit through the ball, it makes a big difference.

Independent

Demography may not quite be destiny, but it makes a big difference to countries' economic prospects.

The Economist

I dont think it makes a big difference whether they go or not.

The New Yorker

"It doesn't cost much to give a coat but it makes a big difference".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In very formal academic writing, consider replacing "big" with more precise adjectives like "significant", "substantial" or "measurable".

Common error

Avoid using the adjective 'different' in this construction, as in 'it makes a big different'. The verb 'makes' requires a noun phrase as its object, so 'difference' must be used. To use 'different', the structure would need to change entirely, such as in 'it makes things look different'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it makes a big difference" serves as a declarative statement where "it" acts as a dummy subject or refers to a preceding idea. It functions to highlight the causal relationship between a specific factor and a significant outcome. According to Ludwig AI, this structure is standard English and is utilized to provide emphasis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "it makes a big difference" is a highly effective and grammatically correct phrase used to signal importance. Whether you are reading The New York Times or technical guides on WikiHow, the phrase appears consistently to highlight key variables that change an outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its high frequency and correctness in written English. While it is perfectly acceptable in most contexts, writers should be aware that "big" can be swapped for more descriptive adjectives like "it makes a profound difference" or "it makes a substantial difference" to better suit specific formal or technical requirements. Always ensure you use the noun "difference" rather than the adjective "different" to maintain grammatical integrity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it makes a significant difference

Uses a more formal adjective to convey impact.

it makes all the difference

Suggests that the factor is the most crucial or decisive one.

it has a major impact

Shifts from a linking verb to a transitive construction focusing on impact.

it matters a great deal

Emphasizes the importance or relevance of the subject.

it makes a huge difference

Increases the intensity of the impact using more emotive language.

it is a game changer

An idiomatic expression suggesting a fundamental shift in the situation.

it carries a lot of weight

Focuses on the influence or authority of the factor.

it has a profound effect

Academic and formal alternative focusing on deep consequences.

it changes the landscape

Metaphorical phrasing used to describe systemic change.

it moves the needle

Business jargon for making a measurable or noticeable change.

FAQs

How to use "it makes a big difference" in a sentence?

You can use it as a complete thought or follow it with a prepositional phrase, such as in "Using fresh ingredients "it makes a big difference" to the final taste of the dish."

What can I say instead of "it makes a big difference"?

Depending on your context, you can use "it has a significant impact", "it matters a lot" or "it makes all the difference".

Which is correct, "it makes a big difference" or "it makes a huge difference"?

Both are grammatically correct. Use "it makes a huge difference" when you want to express a stronger or more dramatic level of impact than "big" suggests.

Is "it makes a big difference" formal enough for a resume?

While correct, it may sound slightly conversational for a resume. You might prefer more active and formal phrasing such as "contributed significantly to" or "resulted in a measurable improvement".