large difference between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'large difference between' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the relationship between two objects or entities that have a noticeable gap in comparison. For example: "There is a large difference between the life expectancy of those living in developed nations and those living in developing nations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Again there was no large difference between the different sources of birth weight information.

BMC Pediatrics

In particular there are some results in Table 3 which indicate a large difference between VOIs resulting from different initializations.

EJNMMI Research

"Interestingly, there's a large difference between big and small species.

The Guardian

There is, I would say, a large difference between 5percentt (about 40 players) and 85percentt (nearly 725).

The New York Times - Sports

The equivalent figures for Scotland were 131mm (127% of average), but this masks a large difference between east and west.

The Guardian

For most vitamins and minerals, both studies found no large difference between organic and conventional produce.

The New York Times - Science

"There is a large difference between what the politicians think and the general public, and the media have not questioned the politicians until recently," Sundell said.

The Guardian

She wrote, incredibly, "There is a large difference between the activity of a photographer, which is always willed, and the activity of a writer, which may not be".

The New Yorker

Work on Your Fundamentals On Monday, the WNYC radio host Brian Lehrer asked Silver what accounted for the large difference between my calculation and his.

The New Yorker

There is a large difference between explaining, for example, that mirror neurons underpin imitative reflexes and speculating, from there, that mirror neurons are the brain-basis for empathy.

The Guardian - Books

The Treasury paper states: For countries with significant amounts of foreign ownership there can be a large difference between these measures of output.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "large difference between", ensure that the items being compared are clearly defined and that the context supports the assertion of a significant dissimilarity. Be specific about the nature of the difference to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "large difference between" when the actual difference is marginal or subjective. Overstating the difference can weaken your argument and undermine your credibility. Provide specific data or evidence to support claims of a substantial difference.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "large difference between" functions as a comparative descriptor, highlighting a substantial dissimilarity. It is commonly used to emphasize the contrast between two or more distinct entities. As shown in Ludwig, its function is supported by numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

53%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "large difference between" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a significant dissimilarity between two or more entities. According to Ludwig, this phrase is widely used across various domains, including science, news, and formal business contexts. While it maintains a neutral to slightly formal tone, its effectiveness lies in its clarity and emphasis on the magnitude of the difference. Alternatives like "significant disparity between" or "substantial distinction between" can offer nuanced variations, but "large difference between" remains a versatile and reliable choice for highlighting notable contrasts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

substantial distinction between

Uses "substantial distinction" instead of "large difference", indicating a significant and clear difference.

striking difference between

Replaces "large difference" with "striking difference", stressing how surprisingly noticeable the difference is.

significant disparity between

Changes "large difference" to "significant disparity", emphasizing the inequality or imbalance between the items being compared.

noticeable gap between

Employs "noticeable gap" to replace "large difference", emphasizing the space or interval that separates the items.

wide gulf between

Uses "wide gulf" to replace "large difference", emphasizing the great divide or separation.

considerable variation between

Replaces "large difference" with "considerable variation", highlighting the extent of divergence or diversity.

marked contrast between

Substitutes "large difference" with "marked contrast", focusing on the distinct and noticeable differences.

pronounced divergence between

Replaces "large difference" with "pronounced divergence", highlighting the point at which the items begin to differ or separate.

major discrepancy between

Substitutes "large difference" with "major discrepancy", focusing on inconsistencies or contradictions.

clear demarcation between

Employs "clear demarcation" instead of "large difference", underscoring the distinct boundary or separation.

FAQs

How can I use "large difference between" in a sentence?

Use "large difference between" to highlight a significant dissimilarity between two or more entities. For example, "There is a large difference between the cost of living in urban and rural areas."

What are some alternatives to "large difference between"?

Alternatives include "significant disparity between", "considerable variation between", or "substantial distinction between", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "big difference between" or "large difference between"?

While both are grammatically correct, "large difference between" is generally considered more formal and precise than "big difference between", making it more suitable for academic or professional writing.

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

"Large difference between" indicates a significant dissimilarity, whereas "slight difference between" suggests a minor or subtle dissimilarity. The choice depends on the magnitude of the actual difference you are describing.