material difference

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "material difference" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to refer to a change or disparity between two or more things that is significant enough to have an effect, such as a change in opinion, action, or result. For example, you might say, "I can see a material difference in the results after we implemented the new system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So what's the material difference here?

The Guardian - Opinion

This makes no material difference whatsoever.

The Guardian - Opinion

Would this legal difference make a material difference?

The New York Times

It made scant material difference to them when moving forward.

The Guardian - Sport

"The amount of money he spent made a material difference".

The New York Times

The inapplicability resulted from a material difference between the cases.

Cornell University

But we also need to see what material difference these decisions will make".

The New York Times

"Three percent on a portfolio as large as ours makes a material difference," he said.

The New York Times

"The bias flowed through into the material difference in sentencing," Winter said.

The Guardian - Sport

The pair could be deemed to have made a material difference in previous group matches.

The Guardian - Sport

"It makes a real material difference," said Mr. Abraham, who has a $135,000 base salary.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "material difference", ensure that the context clearly indicates what items are being compared and why the difference is important. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "material difference" when the actual difference is negligible or inconsequential. Ensure the distinction truly has a notable impact before labeling it as "material".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "material difference" functions as a noun phrase that signifies a noteworthy distinction between two or more entities. As indicated by Ludwig, it is a grammatically sound expression and is commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

27%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "material difference" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to highlight a significant distinction. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates a noteworthy disparity that often influences decisions or outcomes. This phrase finds common ground across various domains, notably News & Media, Academia, and Science. While versatile, it is most effective when the context clearly specifies the items being compared and the importance of their difference. When a stronger impact is desired, you can replace it with alternatives such as "significant distinction" or "substantial difference".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant distinction

Emphasizes the noteworthiness of the difference.

substantial distinction

Highlights the considerable magnitude of the difference.

notable variance

Focuses on the degree to which things diverge.

meaningful contrast

Underscores the importance and relevance of the difference.

consequential disparity

Points out that the difference has important consequences.

relevant differentiation

Indicates a difference that is pertinent to the matter at hand.

considerable deviation

Stresses the extent to which something strays from a norm or expectation.

appreciable divergence

Highlights that the difference is noticeable and measurable.

tangible variation

Suggests the difference is concrete and perceptible.

impactful contrast

Stresses that the difference results in a noticeable effect.

FAQs

How to use "material difference" in a sentence?

Use "material difference" to highlight a significant distinction between two or more things. For example, "There is a "material difference" between the proposed budget and the actual spending."

What can I say instead of "material difference"?

You can use alternatives like "significant distinction", "substantial difference", or "notable variance" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "material difference" or "substantial difference"?

Both ""material difference"" and "substantial difference" are correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey, but both indicate a significant distinction.

What's the difference between "material difference" and "minor difference"?

"Material difference" implies a significant and impactful distinction, while "minor difference" suggests a small and relatively unimportant distinction. The key is the degree of impact and relevance.