make a distinction from

USAGE SUMMARY

"make a distinction from" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to differentiate two similar items or ideas. For example, "The men's soccer team must make a distinction from the women's soccer team to compete in the tournament."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"There's not a purpose to distinguish or make a distinction from the Baker-Hamilton commission," the senior official said.

The Washington Post

The solution is termed "quasi-Gaussian" to make a distinction from the standard Gaussian beam solution obtained in the paraxial approximation.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

The narration refers to a band called "Motherboy", which the narration claims the show is "legally required to make a distinction" from, with respect to the "Motherboy" event happening in the episode.

Wikipedia

To clarify what we mean by evolutionary causes it is useful to make a distinction from a different level of causality in biology, that of proximate causes.

BMC Medical Education

We referred to the model as a propensity score to make a distinction from the models of the outcome and those of the expected proportion of events.

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Last year's winner, Eleanor Catton, spoke in favor of the change: "I think it's a really great thing that finally we've got a prize that is an English-language prize that doesn't make a distinction for writers who are writing from a particular country".

Huffington Post

Also among the most deadly type of events are landslides, although this is hard to decipher from the OFDA/CRED database because it does not make a distinction between destruction from landslides and the triggering event.

Harvard University

Then we can make a distinction between people dying from acute or chronic complications of chronic diseases.

BMC Palliative Care

I do make a distinction".

The New York Times - Sports

Make a distinction between things!

WikiHow

Indivisibility has hollowed out the concept of human rights, leaving a moral void in which there is no basis for making a distinction between freedom from torture and rent subsidies.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "make a distinction from" when you need to emphasize a clear difference between two concepts or items, particularly when those concepts are easily confused. This clarifies understanding and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "make a distinction from" when a simpler word like "differentiate" or "distinguish" would suffice. Overusing the longer phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a distinction from" functions as a verb phrase used to indicate the act of differentiating or setting apart one thing from another. As Ludwig AI also indicates, the phrase is considered correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

26%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

9%

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "make a distinction from" is a grammatically correct and useful way to express the act of differentiating between two things. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's important to use it judiciously, opting for simpler alternatives like "differentiate" or "distinguish" when appropriate. The phrase is most commonly found in science, news and media, and academic contexts, indicating a relatively neutral register. Remember, clear communication is key, and understanding the nuances of phrases like "make a distinction from" will help you write more effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

differentiate from

This alternative focuses on highlighting the differences between two things.

distinguish from

Similar to differentiate, this emphasizes recognizing differences.

separate from

This alternative suggests creating a clear division between two things.

discriminate from

This implies making a careful judgment to see the differences.

contrast with

This alternative focuses on pointing out the differences when comparing two things.

set apart from

Highlights the unique qualities that make something different.

demarcate from

Suggests establishing a boundary to distinguish between items.

draw a line between

Indicates creating a division based on certain criteria.

cleave from

Implies splitting or separating something distinctively.

compartmentalize from

This suggests dividing something into categories to keep separate.

FAQs

How do I use "make a distinction from" in a sentence?

Use "make a distinction from" to highlight a clear difference between two things. For example, "The study aims to "make a distinction from" earlier research by focusing on a different demographic".

What can I say instead of "make a distinction from"?

You can use alternatives like "differentiate from", "distinguish from", or "separate from" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "make a distinction between" or "make a distinction from"?

"Make a distinction between" is typically used when comparing multiple items, while ""make a distinction from"" is suitable when setting one thing apart from another specific item.

What is the nuance between "distinguish" and "make a distinction from"?

"Distinguish" is a more direct verb that means to recognize or point out a difference. "Make a distinction from" implies a more deliberate and articulated effort to highlight that difference.