marked the difference between

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "marked the difference between" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a distinction or contrast between two or more things. Example: "The new policy marked the difference between the old and the new approach to employee management."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Those two misses marked the difference between victory and defeat.

The Guardian - Sport

The collars alone, with their bold curlicues in white lace, marked the difference between last season's perverse play on maids and the dainty dresses for spring/summer 2012.

The New York Times

Two months after the change of regime in Downing Street, nothing has marked the difference between the Conservatism of Theresa May and the Conservatism of David Cameron more sharply than the question of grammar schools.

The Guardian

Or at the very least as rigorous an exclusion from glory as that which formerly marked the difference between Mrs. Astor's Four Hundred and the rest of the human race.

The New Yorker

In many cases, this improvement marked the difference between being able to statistically reject the null hypothesis (e.g. no significant activation detected).

Biomedical Optics Express

In terminal substitution, a mouse completely omitted the normal Phase IV shift to body licking, and instead simply continued to lick its paws, never changing posture or moving its head caudally out of the normal facial grooming position (the complete failure of transition to body licking after paw licking marked the difference between Insertion and Terminal Substitution chains).

BMC Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

These concerns mark the difference between success and failure for welfare reform.

The Guardian

This is the kind of attention to detail that marks the difference between off-the-rack and couture.

The New York Times - Magazine

The author argues that this myth revolves around the issue of rewards, which "mark the difference between winners and losers".

The New York Times

Dressed casually and staying long after the event to answer questions, the pair sought to mark the difference between themselves and other politicians vying for votes.

The Guardian

The scoreboard did not really mark the difference between the sides because of the ticker we showed, but I remember thinking that there was no way to beat that side.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "marked the difference between" to clearly emphasize the distinguishing factor between two or more options, ideas, or objects. Ensure the context provides a clear understanding of what is being compared.

Common error

Avoid using "marked the difference between" when a simpler phrase like "distinguished" or "differentiated" would suffice. This phrase is most effective when highlighting a significant or crucial distinction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marked the difference between" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of clearly distinguishing or highlighting the contrast between two or more things. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. The examples in Ludwig show it being used in various contexts to emphasize distinctions.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "marked the difference between" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for emphasizing key distinctions, as confirmed by Ludwig. While not exceptionally common, it is versatile enough for use in both news and scientific contexts. It's important to use this phrase when highlighting a significant distinction rather than a minor detail, and to consider simpler alternatives when appropriate. Based on Ludwig's analysis, this phrase serves to clearly define and emphasize what sets two or more things apart.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highlighted the contrast between

Directly points out the differences, often implying a strong opposition.

differentiated between

Emphasizes the separation and individual characteristics of the things being compared.

defined the boundary between

Clearly establishes the limits or borders between two concepts or entities.

distinguished between

Focuses on the act of recognizing a distinction, rather than explicitly creating or signifying it.

demarcated the line between

Implies a precise and often legal or formal separation.

showed the variation between

Presents the differences in a neutral or objective manner.

underlined the disparity between

Emphasizes a significant difference, often with implications of inequality or imbalance.

indicated the divergence between

Suggests a gradual moving apart or deviation from a common point.

signified the divide between

Implies a separation or boundary, often metaphorical.

set apart

Highlights the unique qualities that make something distinct from others.

FAQs

How can I use "marked the difference between" in a sentence?

This phrase is used to highlight a significant distinction. For instance, "The new policy "marked the difference between" the old and new approaches."

What are some alternatives to "marked the difference between"?

You could use phrases like "distinguished between", "differentiated between", or "highlighted the contrast between" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "marked the difference between"?

Use it when you want to emphasize a key distinction that significantly impacts the comparison. It's suitable when the difference is not just a minor detail but a defining characteristic.

What's the difference between "marked the difference between" and "distinguished between"?

"Marked the difference between" emphasizes that something created or revealed the difference, while "distinguished between" simply means recognizing a pre-existing difference.